The “green things growing” whisper me
Of many an earth-old mystery.
–Eben Eugene Rexford
Earth Day 2020 will mark the 50th anniversary of this holiday. Typically, Earth Day is assigned a different theme or area of focus each year; this year’s theme is Climate Action.
Most years, Earth Day events range from river cleanups to invasive removals. With social distancing in place for many of us this April, Earth Day has gone digital. Virtual events, like environmental lectures and films, will take place on Earth Day (Wednesday, April 22) instead. To see a catalogue of official events, visit earthday.org.
Of course, social distancing doesn’t mean that you can’t go outside and enjoy nature, as long as you do so responsibly! Nature is not cancelled!
WHAT IS EARTH DAY?
Ever wonder how Earth Day began? The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970, with the goal of raising awareness about mankind’s role in protecting our natural world. On this date, 20 million Americans ventured outdoors and protested in favor of a more eco-conscious society.
It’s hard to believe today, but at the time, many people were not aware of some serious environmental issues—from air pollution to toxic dumps to pesticides to loss of wilderness.
In 1970, Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson and activist John McConnell separately asked Americans to join in the grassroots demonstration. McConnell originally chose the spring equinox (March 21, 1970) and Nelson chose April 22, which ended up becoming the official celebration date. (Given that the date of the spring equinox changes over time, it could have made things more complicated to go with that date!)
Earth Day started out as more of a political movement, though today it has become a popular day for many communities to gather together and clean up litter, plant trees, or simply reflect on the beauty of nature. We’ve provided a list of activities and projects that you can do to improve your local environment further down the page!
