April 22^nd is Earth Day

The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970. On that day, over 20 million Americans participated in various activities across the country, making it one of the largest demonstrations in US history. The first Earth Day led to the creation of the US Environmental Protection Agency and eventually to the passage of other first-of-their-kind environmental laws and legislation, including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, Superfund, and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Since then, Earth Day has grown into a global movement. It is celebrated by over 1 billion people in more than 193 countries. Earth Day has played a vital role in raising awareness and driving action on environmental issues. It has inspired countless initiatives around the world and policies aimed at protecting the planet.

What can you do to celebrate Earth Day?

There are so many ways to celebrate and activities to participate in. Here are just a couple of suggestions. What will you be doing this year to celebrate Earth Day?

• Plant a Tree: Trees help to store carbon dioxide, provide oxygen, improve air quality, and lower surface and air temperatures by providing shade and cooling.
• Clean Up a Local Park or Beach: Work with organizations like Keep Brevard Beautiful to host a local cleanup effort or just pick up trash while you are out walking in local parks and beaches.
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose: Take steps to minimize waste, learn what you can and can’t recycle, and reuse materials when possible.
• Attend an Earth Day Event: Many organizations and groups are holding Earth Day events this month. Find an event near you to attend. Here are a couple of events coming up in the near future.
  • The Brevard Zoo will be hosting its Party for the Planet event on April 19, 2025.
  • Rockledge Gardens is hosting an Earth Day event on April 19, 2025.
  • The Brevard Backyard Beekeepers is hosting a Bees, Butterflies, and Blooms Festival on April 26, 2025.
• Switch to Eco-Friendly Products: Replace single-use plastics with sustainable and reusable alternatives. Always skip the straw!
• Conserve Water and Energy: Implement practices like turning off lights when not in use and fixing leaks in your home to save resources.
• Volunteer for Environmental Organizations: Offer your time to groups dedicated to protecting the environment and local natural resources.
• Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about environmental issues that interest you and share your knowledge with friends and family.

References

The History of Earth Day – Earth Day

Benefits of Trees and Vegetation | US EPA

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