Earth Day

Good morning! Today is Tuesday April 21^st, 2026, and Earth Day is tomorrow! In today’s edition of The Environmental Edit, we will review the history of Earth Day and dive in on the origins for this national recognized day of environmental sustainability and conservation. Later, we will quiz you on a trivial Earth Day fact, keep you environmentally up to date, and provide some sustainable tips to enhance your Earth Day.

The history of Earth Day began in the mid-1950s when Americans began consuming large amounts of leaded gas through inefficient cars (fun fact- this also led to the smaller sports cars present in the 70s, 80s, and 90s). Large amounts of pollutants that entered our environment created smog and air pollution in industrial American cities. In 1962 Rachel Carson wrote a New York Times best seller that would set the stage for environmental awareness and eventually Earth Day; Silent Springs. Carsons novel exposed the hazards of pesticide DDT, highlighted natures vulnerability, and how technological advancements had inputted heavy pressure onto the environment. Then, in 1969, Americans witnessed a major oil spill in Santa Barbara, California which emphasized the importance of protecting our environment. At the time Wisconsin senator, Gaylord Nelson, proposed an idea for on campus teach-ins to educate students on energy consumption and water and air pollution. Nelson and Denis Hayes, a young environmental activist, choose April 22^nd for teach-ins to occur all throughout the country. Hayes built a staff of 85 to spread the word and promote teach-in events. Next, they changed the name to Earth Day which eventually caught national attention. In 1970, the first Earth Day, 20 million Americans participated in Earth Day Activities. Ever since then Earth Day has become an internationally recognized day where the world comes together to raise environmental advocacy and sustainability. Earth Day promotes global citizens to be environmental mindful and put through sustainable practices. Earth Days great influence was demonstrated in 2016, on Earth Day, when the United Nations put through the Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty on climate change.

Recently two Antarctic species have been marked as “Endangered” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list. The two species are the emperor penguin and the Antartic fur seal. Growing concerns for all Antarctic organisms have grown in past years with the added pressures of global warming in colder biomes. Emperor penguins require sea ice to be attached to land in order to breed. The melting of ice because of climate change is slowly inhibiting this process. In response to rising global ocean temperatures krill, a common food source for Antarctic fur seals, are being pushed out deeper into the ocean into colder locations. Lesser availability of krill is raising concern for the health of Antarctic fur seal populations; leading to their endangerment.

According to the United Nations, what is the official name of Earth Day?

A. International Mother Earth Day

B. World Nature Day

C. Global Environment Day

D. The Planet Protective Initiative

Correct answer at the end of the newsletter!

On Earth Day, I highly encourage you to get outside and do something that is helping our environment, whether that is doing something in your routine environmentally friendly or going out of your way to personally help our environment. For example, google search Earth Day events in your community and attend them to learn more about your community’s environment. Or it could be as simple as not eating meat to reduce the environmental footprint of carbon…taking a quicker shower to reduce water waste…walking, biking, taking public transport, or carpooling wherever you need to go…picking up trash in your local community. Any of these activities or other environmentally friendly activities are simple steps that you can take to acknowledge our planet and demonstrate environmental mindfulness.

That will end this week’s edition of The Environmental Edit. Remember to do something environmentally friendly tomorrow and celebrate Earth Day with friends and family by making an impact, no matter how big or small. The answer was A. I hoped you enjoyed reading, happy Earth Day!

Tuesdays for a Greener Tomorrow.