Every year on April 22nd, people around the entire United States celebrate a day dedicated to preservation and love for our Earth. While the average American may know of the day, many don't know about the catalyst that caused this celebration and acknowledgment.
American Society Before Earth Day
During the mid-20th century prior to Earth Day, American society was marked by vast amounts of consumption with little to no regard for environmental impact. A year before Earth Day was founded, Americans were consuming vast amounts of lead-contaminated gasoline fuel for automobiles and engaging in mass-producing industries emitting smoke and sludge contributing mass amounts of air pollutants. At this time, industries were not held accountable for these pollutants. In fact, many American industries dubbed the smell of thick smoke and air pollutants as a sign of America's "prosperity" and growth of US economy. However, the same industrialization that contributed to a major rise in American wealth was simultaneously negatively impacting human health and the health of the environment. It was on April 22, 1970 when American activists and Democratic Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin finally tended their cause to fruition.
Earth Day In 1970
On April 22, 1970, twenty million Americans protested against the mass pollution nationwide. And in spring of 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson listened to these voices and created a national day of acknowledgement known as Earth Day, as a way to force this issue into the hands of legislators around the nation.
And it worked! The creation of Earth Day successfully gained enough national attention, and environmental issues continued to be on the national agenda throughout the rest of the year and decades to come. In December of 1970, Congress authorized a new federal agency, the Environmental Protection Agency, dedicated solely "to protect human health and the environment." Within 10 years of the creation of Earth Day, twelve acts were created to protect the environment through federal law. One of which was the Amended Clean Air Act of 1970. This new amendment expanded the role of the federal government's role in air pollution control. The Clean Air Act of 1970 developed complex federal and state regulations that limited both industrial and mobile sources that emitted air pollutants, marking for larger history in addressing the grassroots cause behind Earth Day. According to the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago, the Clean Air Act of 1970 contributed to 64.9% less pollution with an added 1.4 years to the life expectancy of the average American.
Hear a 1980 speech from Senator Gaylord Nelson himself on what Earth Day meant to him: https://www.epa.gov/archive/epa/aboutepa/earth-day-70-what-it-meant.html
How Have We Changed Since The Original Earth Day?
While Earth Day in 1970 was an initial federal acknowledgment of longstanding environmental issues, there is still a long way until our Earth is fully protected.
What Does Earth Day Mean To You?
While we can acknowledge both the current climate of environmental issues and the beauty of Earth Day's origins, there are still many ways YOU can celebrate the day! The beauty of this year is that it is an election year! Spend your Earth Day learning of candidates you can vote for in this year's election that acknowledges climate change-related issues. Or perhaps, celebrating Earth Day looks more like spending the day outside, reading in a hammock. Ultimately, find what feels authentic to you in celebrating the beauty while acknowledging the continued fight to preserve our Earth!
Happy Earth Day!! Enjoy a day outside!!
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Written by Ava Wasik