The History of Earth Day
Springtime is our favorite time of year, and for one very big reason: Earth Day! As pioneers in the plastic-free water bottle industry, we could not be more excited about this year’s theme: "Planet vs. Plastics.” So, in honor of this amazing day, let’s dive into its history and help you take a stand against plastics, and for the planet we all call home.
The Inspiration
Did you know that prior to the 1970’s, there were no major regulations protecting the environment? It took a few unsightly accidents, such as an 800 square-mile oil spill, to inspire Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson to found Earth Day. Seeking the help of activist Denis Hayes, the pair decided to organize informal lectures and discussions on college campuses hoping to educate and inspire students to protect the environment. To kick things off, April 22nd was chosen as the official date for Earth Day to offer students a convenient time between spring break and their final exams.
The First Earth Day
On April 22nd 1970, the rich history of Earth Day began. National demonstrations were held across the United States, calling attention to concerns about the environment. As a result of this powerful activism, a big change was finally happening! By the end of that year, in December 1970, the US government created the Environmental Protection Agency. Within the following years, several other groundbreaking laws were passed.
The Evolution of Earth Day
Earth Day’s reach continued to grow both domestically and internationally, causing a ripple effect of awareness and international policy. By the 1990’s, Earth Day grew to an astounding 200 million people in 141 countries! Throughout this decade we saw the popularization of worldwide recycling efforts and Senator Nelson was awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton for his role in founding Earth Day.
Earth Day 2024
This year, the theme “Planet vs. Plastics” is part of earthday.org’s demand for “a 60% reduction in the production of ALL plastics by 2040.” You can honor this day, and the earth, by taking part in planet-loving activities. We suggest joining a clean-up, planting a tree, or better yet, honor this year’s theme by making the switch to eco-friendly products.
At Pura Stainless, our mission is to empower parents and their children with the resources they need to live a healthier, more sustainable life. We hope that learning a few inspiring Earth Day facts encourages you to celebrate this wonderful day and do something good for yourself, your family, and the planet too! To get started, you can visit our website to shop our 100% plastic-free water bottles and baby bottles or dive even deeper into the history of Earth Day at https://www.earthday.org/. Until then, from all of us at Pura, we wish you a healthy and happy Earth Day!
Sources and Further Reading
https://www.earthday.org/history/
https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2024/
https://www.earthday.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/BVP-Report.pdf
https://www.earthday.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/EarthDay-2024-Toolkit-March-12th-Update.pdf
