Earth Day History
Earth Day is an annual observance, held on April 22, to increase public awareness of environmental problems. Each year on Earth Day, millions of peopl, throughout the world gather to clean up litter, to protest threats to the environment, and to celebrate progress in reducing pollution.
Earth Day began in the United States. In 1969, U.S. Senator Gaylord A. Nelson suggested that a day of environmental education be held on college campuses. The following year, the lawyer and environmentalist Denis Hayes, then a recent graduate of Stanford University, led hundreds of students in planning and organizing the fIrst Earth Day. About 20 million people participated in the original observance on April 22, 1970.
The first Earth Day in 1970 helped alert people to the dangers of pollution and stimulated a new environmental movement. That same year, Congress created the Environmental Protection Agency to set and enforce pollution standards. Congress also passed the Clean Air Act of 1970, which limited the amount of air pollution that cars, utilities, and industries could release. Other new environmental laws soon followed. from World Book
6 Simple Things You Can Do To Help
Plant a Tree
Plant a tree or grow a garden. Plants turn
carbon dioxide into the oxygen we need to
breathe. Trees also help keep the soil from
eroding away, and they give animals like
birds and squirrels a place to live. You can
grow plants inside, too. Try growing some salad
greens or herbs, that you can eat, on your windowsill.
Ride Your Bike
When you don't have far to go, try riding your
bike or walking instead of getting a ride in a car.
You'll help save energy, lessen the amount of
air pollution, and you'll keep healthy and fit, too!
Save Electricity
   
Turn off the lights when you leave the room, and
turn off the radio and TV when you're not using them.
Save Water
 
Did you know that you can save an average
of 9 gallons of water if you turn the faucet
off while you're brushing your teeth!
Keep the Earth Beautiful
 
Help keep the Earth beautiful by helping to
keep your neighborhood clean. Why not
help organize a Litter Clean-Up Day at
your school or in your neighborhood...
Recycle
  
Recycle cans, bottles and newspapers.
This reduces the amount of trash that
ends up in our landfills. Most
communities recycle. Does yours?
Some links with more information about
Earth Day and a few Fun pages!
International Earth Day
Earth Day Network
Earth Day
Earth Day on your Block
Earth Day Coloring Pages and Posters
Happy Earth Day Activities Book
Earth Day Scavenger Hunt
Earth Day CyberHunt
Why is recycling so important?
Endangered Species
Cyber Adoptions - Rainforest Animals
Save The Earth
People everywhere
breathe the same air,
share the same seas,
live together on the land.
People everywhere
who learn, plan,
work, care,
can
save the earth.
Betty Miles
Earth Day
I am the Earth
And the Earth is me.
Each blade of grass,
Each honey tree,
Each bit of mud,
And stick and stone
Is blood and muscle,
Skin and bone.
And just as I
Need every bit
Of me to make
My body fit,
So Earth needs
Grass and stone and tree
And things that grow here
Naturally.
That's why we
Celebrate this day.
That's why across
The world we say:
As long as life,
As dear, as free,
I am the Earth
And the Earth is me.
Jane Yolen
"Dusk and Dawn on Skye"
midi by
 2003 Bruce DeBoer
Used with permission of the composer.
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