Earth Day 2009

Earth Day is rapidly approaching! This year's events take place on Wednesday, April 22. The first Earth Day took place in 1970. It was started by then U. S. Senator from Wisconsin, Gaylord Nelson. He proposed the first nationwide environmental protest "to shake up the political establishment and force this issue onto the national agenda. " "It was a gamble," he recalls, "but it worked." This first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species acts. In 1990 the event went international, bringing together 200 million people in 141 countries. Earth Day 1990 gave a huge boost to recycling efforts worldwide and helped pave the way for the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

This day helps us remember that it takes all of us to make the world a better place. Please be sure to "celebrate" Earth Day, whether it be separating your recycling, making good choices on what to buy or reuse, or composting your leftovers, we all can make a difference this Earth Day! For more information on Earth Day or to find official events in your neighborhood, visit the Earth Day Network.