Here is how Earth Day originated around the world

Graphic / Jenifer Trimble

The first Earth Day was on April 22, 1970, to raise awareness for the need to protect the Earth for future generations. 

In the 1960s, raw sewage, pesticides and other garbage was routinely poured into waterways. The garbage smelled and fires became common in rivers. In early 1960, Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring spoke about the insecticide DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) and its effects on animals and people. Carson’s book opened people’s eyes to the dangers of DDT and other pesticides, thus inciting a desire to maintain the environment.

The original Earth Day was a day of Environmental Teach-in. Over 12,000 events were held in the United States. With the success of the first Earth Day, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created. Earth Day also spurred the Clean Air Act of 1970, the Clean Water Act of 1972, and the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Colleges all over started environmental study programs.

Originally, Earth Day brought public awareness to pollution. Today, we celebrate Earth and bring attention to living green and climate crises.

By 1990, Earth Day went global with 140 nations participating. Today, nearly 200 nations celebrate Earth Day.

The official Earth Day 2023 theme is Invest In Our Planet. The theme encourages people, businesses and governments to recognize our responsibility and transform it into a green economy. Everyone is accountable for what happens to our Earth. We must ask ourselves what government, businesses and individuals can do to help the Earth prosper.  

Several ways that we can refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover to help cut down on pollution include:

1. Refuse the single-use items and items that are packaged twice.
   1. If you do not need it, do not get it.
2. Reduce the amount of single-use items and items that we do not need.
3. Reuse items as much as possible.
4. Recycle products that cannot be reused.
   1. Upcycle items that you no longer need.
5. Recover food waste by composting.

For more information about Earth Day, visit the official website at earthday.org.