On April 22 the world celebrates Earth Day. Events are held worldwide for people to demonstrate support for environmental protection. More than 193 countries participate in Earth Day each year. Earth Day is a modern movement that began in 1970. It was founded by Gaylord Nelson, a senator from Wisconsin. He was inspired by the student anti-war movement. Nelson realized that if he could use that same energy he could inform the public about the air and water pollution and it would force environmental protection onto the national political agenda. So on April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans participated in massive rallies coast to coast. By the end of that year, the first Earth Day had led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Even now we still fight for a clean environment. Our planet is in crisis due to global warming, overpopulation, and other critical environmental issues. Various policy agreements and acts are sanctioned such as the Clear Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and many others. Companies are encouraged to use less paper and to turn the AC off after hours. Employees carpool to work to reduce pollution from cars. Car manufacturers are now making and selling hybrid and electric cars. Earth Day has changed people’s behavior and provoked policy change.

Everyone can participate in cleaning up the Earth. Grab some trash bags and clean up the trash along roads and rivers. Use less water by taking shorter showers. Shut off the lights when you leave a room. Help your mom clean up the garden by planting flowers and bushes. If everyone participates in helping to clean the earth we all can live in a clean and beautiful place.