Earth Day 2016
April 22, 2016
How are you going to improve the world today? On this date, almost 50 years ago, an estimated 20 million Americans, both young and old, did just that and took part in the very first Earth Day. This year, more than a billion people from nearly 200 countries will mark the day by showing support for environmental protection and confronting the ecological problems in their cities, states, nation, and on their planet. The number of people who participate in Earth Day grows each year as the world becomes more connected via social media and increasing Internet accessibility across the globe.
One of the most significant occurrences to take place on Earth Day in 2016 concerns China and the United States—the world’s leading carbon dioxide emitters—who have agreed to sign a historic agreement at a United Nations (UN) ceremony in New York City on April 22. Both nations are agreeing to adopt a “global action plan to put the world on track to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to well below 35.6 Fahrenheit degrees (2 Celsius degrees).” In addition, at least 130 countries are expected to sign the Paris Agreement on climate change this Earth Day.
Earth Day began in the United States on April 22, 1970. In 1969, U.S. Senator Gaylord A. Nelson of Wisconsin suggested that a day of environmental education be held on college campuses, similar to the anti-Vietnam War demonstrations, called “teach-ins.” 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 observance of the first Earth Day.
While working around colleges’ academic schedules, Earth Day was also a tip-of-the-hat to another notable environmental action day, Arbor Day. Nebraska newspaper editor and politician Julius Sterling Morton began Arbor Day once he realized how much trees enrich and conserve moisture in soil. Through his efforts, April 10, 1872, was set aside as Nebraska’s first Arbor Day. The Nebraska Legislature later made Arbor Day a legal holiday and changed its date to April 22, Morton’s birthday. Today, however, National Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday of April.
The observance of the first Earth Day helped alert people to the dangers of pollution and stimulated a new environmental movement. That same year, Congress created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 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.
So, how can you improve the world today? Start with drinking plain tap water from a reusable glass or cup. According to some estimates, it takes almost 2 gallons (7 liters) of water to make one plastic water bottle! Add in the amounts of fossil fuels used to make, transport, and chill water in the plastic bottles, and the environmental costs just keep getting greater. Drinking tap water is just one way to improve the world today.
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