Forty years ago on April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day event was held.
Inspired by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson’s idea for a nationwide teach-in day on the environment, the first Earth Day saw 20 million people participate and led to the establishment of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).
Crucial pieces of environmental legislation were passed by US Congress in the wake of the 1970 Earth Day, including the Clean Air Act. According to an EPA analysis, 40 years of Clean Air Act programs have prevented 238,000 premature deaths.
Earth Day is now observed in 190 countries, including Australia, and according to the Earth Day Network, one billion people around the world will be involved in the event this year.
The Network says while climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, it also presents great opportunities – a turning point to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs.
While Earth Day doesn’t appear to be generating a great deal of interest in Australia this year, perhaps having been eclipsed by Australia’s home-grown Earth Hour which occurred just under a month ago; the event still serves as a reminder that wherever we go and whatever we do, we need to keep our impact on the environment in mind.
After all, while we may have become a somewhat “disposable” society, there is only one Earth.
