Earth Day April 22, 2013

History 1969 Senator Gaylord Nelson announces the idea for Earth Day, a large-scale, grassroots demonstration against the degradation of America's natural resources. April 22, 1970 20 million people participate in inaugural Earth Day activities around the United States.

History 1970 Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) founded U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established by President Nixon in order to protect human health and safeguard the natural environment. 1971 Environmental activist organization Greenpeace founded.

History 1972 1973 Clean Water Act passed Endangered Species Act passed Limits pollutants in rivers, lakes, and streams. 1973 Endangered Species Act passed Protect animals and their ecosystems.

History 1990 The 20th anniversary Earth Day celebrations go global, with participants in over 140 countries. 2000 Hundreds of millions of people in 184 countries celebrate the 30th anniversary of Earth Day, with a focus on "clean energy."

Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill 2010

Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill 2010 Largest accidental marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry. Total discharge is estimated at 4.9 million barrels (210 million US gallons) Extensive damage to marine and wildlife habitats, fishing and tourism industries, and human health problems have continued through 2013. Trial on 25 February 2013 to determine payouts and fines under the Clean Water Act and the Natural Resources Damage Assessment

Students can make a difference. Just ask… Rachel, 16, of North East, PA, decided to create an ecology club for 1st and 2nd graders that shows them fun activities they can do to help save the environment. The students even get take-home challenges to learn how to reduce their carbon footprint at home and inspire others around them.

Or… Kristin, 16, of Chapel Hill, NC, created a community garden to have students at her school come together and plant seeds in beds in a greenhouse garden space. If you work at the garden, not only do you get service learning hours, but you can bring home fresh, local, free, organic food as well.

Even… Tom, 19, of Great Falls, MT, and his group, VOICE, have the main goal of making their public school the first green school in the state of Montana. They have become role models for the people of the school and community by trying to fight global warming and creating a new sustainable way of life.

How much of an impact do you have?