Young Astronomers Blog, Volume 28, Number 9.
On April 22, 1970, a senator from Wisconsin, Gaylord Nelson, proposed the idea of a “national teach-in on the environment.” He recruited a young Denis Hayes as the national coordinator. The focus of the event was to raise people’s awareness of critical issues facing the planet. The first Earth Day was a tremendous success with a participation of 20 million people. It provided support for legislation designed to address issues of pollution as well as the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Today, Earth Day is observed in over 170 countries and is coordinated by the Earth Day Network.
The 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day is this week!
The coronavirus pandemic prevents us from celebrating this day with public events and gatherings. However, there are many online activities and celebrations including those by the Earth Day Network, the Piedmont Environmental Alliance, Kaleideum, and NASA.
So, as you sit inside, pause for a minute, and celebrate our planet, the Earth. If you have time, find a few of the online activities and articles. You might also watch Carl Sagan’s “Pale Blue Dot” on YouTube. He reminds us that the Earth is the only planet we have.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Selected Sources and Further Reading
“Earth Day Live 2020.” Earthday.org. (accessed April 18, 2020). https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-live/
“Earth Day.” EPA. (accessed April 18, 2020). https://www.epa.gov/earthday
History.com Editors. “Earth Day 2020.” History, A&E Television Networks. Last Updated April 7, 2020. Originally Published October 27, 2009. https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/earth-day
“Earth Day 2020: 50th Anniversary.” NASA. (accessed April 18, 2020). https://www.nasa.gov/content/earth-day-2020
“Earth Day.” National Geographic. (accessed April 18, 2020). https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/earth-day/
Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. “All About Earth Day.” ThoughtCo, Feb. 11, 2020, thoughtco.com/all-about-earth-day-606790. https://www.thoughtco.com/all-about-earth-day-606790
“12 Meaningful Earth Day Activities for Every Grade.” We Are Teachers. (accessed April 18, 2020). https://www.weareteachers.com/meaningful-earth-day-activities/
“2020 Virtual Piedmont Earth Day Fair.” Piedmont Environmental Alliance. (accessed April 22, 2020). https://www.peanc.org/winston-salem-earth-day-fair
“Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day!” Kaleideum. April 21, 2020. https://kaleideum.org/celebrate-the-50th-anniversary-of-earth-day/
“Carl Sagan – Pale Blue Dot.” carlsagandotcom/YouTube. March 24, 2009. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wupToqz1e2g
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