3 Ways to Make a Difference on Earth Day 2018
Sunday, April 22 marks the day when people from all over the world focus on moving toward a healthy, sustainable environment. According to Earth Day’s official organization, “Earth Day has reached into its current status as the largest secular observance in the world, celebrated by more than a billion people every year, and a day of action that changes human behavior and provokes policy changes.”
Like all movements, environmental awareness had to start somewhere.
It was started in the 1970’s by US Senator, Gaylord Nelson. For the US, the Vietnam War was an uproar, young people protested, and air pollution policy didn’t exist as industries spewed smoke and smog.
With that said, the goal became to push environmental protections into a political agenda. Nelson partnered with Pete McCloskey and recruited Denis Hayes to spearhead the mission. Soon their staff grew to 85 members and by April 22nd, 1970, 20 million American citizens demonstrated for environmental action.
All of which led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.
Learn more about the history of Earth Day here.
Taking Action in the ‘Burgh
Let the Earth Day Festivities begin! Join many from our Pittsburgh community in celebration and learn how you can make an impact toward environmental sustainability on April 20th through April 21st.
- Friday, April 20th – Annual Earth Day in Frick Park and Community Campfire
- Free for all ages, the event will be located at the Lower Frick Parking lot and the campfire will begin at 6 pm.
- Saturday, April 21 – Volunteer Event Comcast Cares Day at Frick Environmental Center from 8 am to 11 am.
- Saturday, April 21 – Walks and Hikes at Frick Environmental Center from 11:30 am to 4 pm
Click here for more events happening in Pittsburgh.
The motivation behind Earth Day came from the relentless determination of students who fought for change. Want to put in your two cents into the world? Give back to the earth and future generations with your time. What kind of Earth do you want to have in fifty years? Because the time to do something is now.