Who founded Earth Day? Why do we celebrate Earth Day? The answers to these and other questions are presented below.
If you have a question about Earth Day and can't find your answer below, contact the NSF Consumer Affairs Office at info@nsf.org or 877-8-NSF-HELP, and we'll help you find the answer!
Earth Day is April 22. Because events and festivals usually take place on a weekend, Earth Day is often observed on the weekends before or after April 22. Many communities also celebrate Earth Week or Earth Month with a series of environmental activities in April.
Gaylord Nelson, a former U.S. Senator.
By the early 1970s, many Americans were upset over the damage human beings were causing to the Earth and its environment. Due to the use of leaded gasoline and lack of air filters or emissions requirements for vehicles and factories, a tremendous amount of pollution was being released into the environment. Earth Day was launched internationally in 1990 when 200 million people in 141 countries participated in the event.
Many Americans refused to accept the notion that pollution was a merely a reflection of the prosperity of the United States. Lead by Mr. Gaylord Nelson, the founder of the first Earth Day, many Americans across the country decided to conduct a demonstration on April 22, 1970, to voice their displeasure and to try to change government and business practices so that they were less harmful to the environment.
Yes, the first Earth Day observances helped to influence the Federal Government to develop and implement the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Each year, the number of people observing Earth Day continues to grow. Earth Day is also observed in many foreign countries as well.
Check with your local community leaders to learn what Earth Day activities are planned for your community. Participate in these activities and let your community leaders know that protecting the environment is important to you.
If your local community does not have any activities planned, volunteer to organize an event where you live.
Learn more about how you can lessen the impact you and your family have on the environment. Read the information presented on the NSF website and incorporate some of the tips and suggestions into your daily life. Search the Internet for additional sources of information on Earth Day and on what we can do to help protect the environment from further damage.
Change one or more personal habits.
