A History of Earth Day
Before the first Earth Day, most people did not recognize the dangers of environmental pollution, viewing industrial emissions and gas-powered cars as symbols of economic progress. Air pollution was widely accepted, with little concern for its impact on people and nature. However, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring (1962) exposed the risks of pesticides and pollution, raising public awareness and sparking environmental consciousness.
Senator Gaylord Nelson, inspired by the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill and the student anti-war movement, proposed a nationwide environmental teach-in. With the help of Congressman Pete McCloskey and activist Denis Hayes, he expanded the idea beyond colleges and set April 22 as the date. Rebranded as Earth Day, the event gained national attention and mobilized millions to demand action against pollution and environmental destruction.
Earth Day 1970 brought together diverse groups to demand action against pollution and environmental destruction, uniting 20 million Americans in a bipartisan movement. This widespread activism led to major legislative changes, including the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and laws like the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. The event sparked a lasting environmental movement that continues to influence policy and awareness today.
Here is a reflection written by Gaylord Nelson ten years after the first Earth Day.
Celebrate Earth Day Through Library Offerings
So, how can the library help you celebrate Earth Day? Well, beyond having accessibility to thousands of books that are reused over and over again, the library offers ways to get outside and appreciate the natural world.
For venturing outdoors, we have the Hiking Backpack equipped with hiking poles, a park pass, field guides, and more to make your hiking experience all that much better. If you don’t need the backpack but still want to have access to parks, we have the California State Park Pass and the Marin Municipal Water District Pass both of which give you free parking access to different parks throughout the state and in Marin County. One of our newest additions to selected libraries is the Stargazing Kit. This kit will enable people to experience the nights sky in a whole new way.
Another area of libraries that foster a sense of belonging to the natural world are seed libraries. The Fairfax
Library has the Community Seed Exchange with the idea of people having access to seeds with the additional benefit of sharing seeds. Other seed libraries include Novato, South Novato, Civic Center, and Point Reyes.
To be even more sustainable the Corte Madera Library offers craft kits that give people the opportunity to use tools for various crafts before investing.
Events:
The Bolinas Library has Mending Mondays that meets Mondays from 2-4 PM to help with repairing clothing. Additionally, Inverness Library has Mending Circle / Círculo de Zurcir which meets the first Monday of the month from 3:30 – 5:30 PM to mend cloths. And always look out for upcoming events like the, Repair Fair with Reuse Alliance in June at the Fairfax Library.
Booklists:
Last but not least here are a variety of different book lists to get some inspirational reading material to help foster a sense of Earth Day.
Environmentalist Stories and Biographies
Earth Day : Human Engagement and Impact
Earth Day : Diversity Of Nature Seekers and Eco Warriors
References:
Nelson, G. (2016, September 16). Earth Day ’70: What it meant. EPA. https://www.epa.gov/archive/epa/aboutepa/earth-day-70-what-it-meant.html
The history of earth day. Earth Day. (2024, January 23). https://www.earthday.org/history/
Images:
Earthrise, taken December 24, 1968.
Source: https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/apollo-8-astronaut-bill-anders-captures-earthrise/
Union Square New York City April 22nd, 1970
Source: https://www.nypl.org/blog/2017/04/20/informed-archives-environmental
Contributed by Dan Oleson-Wheeler
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