The Making of Earth Day

Molly-Mae Mendoza
Staff Writer

Each year, on April 22, people around the world celebrate the anniversary of an environmental movement that started in 1970. Due to the stench of smoke and constant pollution in the air, marine biologist Rachel Carson decided to take action by her most famous publication, “Silent Spring,” which spoke about living organisms as well as the environment being exposed to pollution.

Earth Day informs individuals about the possible consequences of continually worsening pollution. Not only did Carson spoke up about this, but Sen. Gaylord A. Nelson also did. After witnessing the devastating oil spill in Santa Barbara in 1969, Nelson realized that if he could increase public consciousness about air and water pollution, environmental protection would be taken seriously by the national political agenda. He decided to announce an idea to the national media in which he persuaded many individuals to take their actions into consideration and make sure the way they lead their lives has a positive impact, or at the very least the most minimal negative impact, on the environment. Now millions of people celebrate Earth Day, fighting for a clean and safe environment.