Thursday, April 22nd, was Earth Day. To celebrate, many on Gannon’s campus took action through litter cleanups. sharing valuable information about the state of our climate, and posting incredible photos of our world. Whether your advocacy came in the form of physical service of increased awareness this Earth Day, it was wonderful to see the outpouring of action and shared information all with the goal of making our world a better place. 

The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970. A mass increase in pollution from oil spills, factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, and freeways contributed to loss of wilderness and the extinction of wildlife leading up to the first Earth Day. A  

a rare political alignment, enlisting support from Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, urban dwellers and farmers, business and labor leaders was reached as all united to try to combat these issues of pollution and loss of life. Following this first celebration of Earth Day, numerous environmental laws were passed that have since protected millions from disease and death as well as saved hundreds of species from extinction. 

While recent efforts to protect the environment have faced great challenges in deniers of climate change, well-funded oil lobbyists, reticent politicians, a disinterested public, and a divided environmental community, Earth Day continues to be recognized as the largest secular observance in the world. It brings one billion people together to change human behavior and create global, national and local policy changes that benefit the environment each year.

If you didn’t get involved for Earth Day this year, I encourage you to seek out the opportunity next year! Earth Day raises awareness of imperative issues regarding the health of our environment and of the future of all life on Earth. This is also an excellent opportunity for easy, local service hours through litter pickups and gardening. As our world continues changing and we continue learning, it is essential that we once again unite in an effort to conserve and protect all that our beautiful world offers us. 

Sources: “The History of Earth Day.” Earth Day, 1 Apr. 2021, www.earthday.org/history/. 

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