Earth Day a Brief History

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Earth Day - A Brief History [pic] Every April 22nd Earth Day is observed. It is a day set aside to bring awareness to environmental issues that affect our planet. With today's emphasis on global warming and green energy it continues to be a day worth celebrating. Earth Day was founded in 1970 by former U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson after witnessing an oil spill off the California coast. He was inspired by the anti-war movement and thought if he could harness that energy and combine it with the public consciousness of air and water pollution it would put environmental issues on the political agenda. Surprisingly, Earth Day 1970 pulled together people from all walks of life. Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, farmers and urban dwellers all came together to rally for a better environment. Out of those protests and rallies the Environmental Protection Agency was created. Over the next few decades Earth Day has grown to include a global following. In 1990 the movement saw 200 million people worldwide participate. The focus was on the importance of recycling. By 2000, hundreds of millions of people had gathered to send a clear message demanding clean energy. Earth Day 2010 was a challenge for the movement. Many doubted the global warming phenomena, lobbyists had deep pockets to influence politicians and sadly the public grew disinterested. Still, 225,000 people gathered on the Mall in Washington D.C for a Climate Rally where the Earth Day Network introduced their 2012 goal of A Billion Acts of Green. They also launched an international movement to plant 1 million trees along with Avatar director James Cameron. Here are some poems on Earth Day- Development We all heard the sad cries of the oaks as they fell But insisted that a tree can not weep, or hurt. Trees die slowly: there is no instant shut-off
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