Wednesday marked the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. American Gaylord Nelson launched the first Earth Day in 1970. His aim was to urge local action and increase people’s understanding of our planet and its environment. The creation of Earth Day is widely considered the beginning of the modern environmental movement. As climate activists marked the event this year, an unplanned experiment is changing the planet. Many people continue to stay at home to stop the spread of the new coronavirus. As a result, people are making less pollution, and the air has become cleaner. Smog stopped covering New Delhi, one of the world’s most polluted cities. Nitrogen dioxide pollution in the northeastern United States has dropped 30 percent. Air pollution levels in Rome have dropped 49 percent compared to a year ago. Stars seem more visible at night.
What is the purpose of Earth Day?
to increase understanding of our planet and its environment
to work for higher wages
to reduce bigotry
to improve the nations educational system
What year was Earth day first launched?
2000
1960
1950
1970
People are now making less pollution and the air has become cleaner.
humid
foggy
cleaner
cold