NESC Media Room
Earth Day
Earth Day 2011
- * NESC's New Web Sites Encourage Water-Efficient Practices and Offer Free Educational Resources
In honor of Earth Day, the National Environmental Services Center (NESC) encourages you to use water-efficient fixtures—such as low flow faucets, toilets and showerheads. Visit NESC's new page Future Water at www.nesc.wvu.edu/futurewater/. Visit another new NESC site, The Water We Drink: Small Community Outreach Campaign, for free articles and educational resources about maintaining safe, sustainable, and secure water supplies in small and rural communities. Access the information at www.nesc.wvu.edu/waterwedrink/.
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Earth Day 2011: A Billion Acts of Green
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April 22nd marked Earth Day 2011. This year, we saw an enormous outpouring of support for the environmental movement, evinced by our 100 millionth Act of Green! - * EPA Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day
This Earth Day, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asks YOU to join in protecting our planet, ensuring clean air and water for all people and for our children. Administrator, Lisa P. Jackson, leads EPA's efforts to protect the health and environment for all Americans. She and a staff of 17,000 are working across the nation to usher in a green economy, address health threats from toxins and pollution, and renew public trust in EPA's work. Learn more at www.earthday.gov.
The History of Earth Day
Every April 22nd, people across the country and around the world observe Earth Day. This annual celebration helps renew our commitment to building a safer, healthier, and cleaner world.
The first Earth Day was held in 1970 and more than 20 million people participated. Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. senator from Wisconsin, took a leading role in organizing and implementing the event, which he hoped would demonstrate widespread political support for an environmental agenda.
According to the Earth Day Network, the first event "achieved a rare political alignment, enlisting support from Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, city slickers and farmers, tycoons and labor leaders. The first Earth Day led to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species acts." One of the Earth Day Network's signature programs is the Global Water Network, a program designed to raise awareness about water issues and to help construct water and sanitation projects were they are most needed.
Earth Day is now celebrated in 175 countries and, in many communities, has been expanded to Earth Week beginning on April 16th and ending on the traditional Earth Day.
To learn more about Earth Day, visit the Earth Day Network Web site at www.earthday.org.