How it Started

Worksheet Description

This worksheet provides an educational narrative about the origins and significance of Earth Day. It explains how Earth Day began as a response to environmental concerns in the 1960s, spearheaded by Wisconsin senator Gaylord Nelson after witnessing the ravages of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Inspired by the student anti-war movement, Nelson recognized the potential for harnessing the energy of student activism to bring public attention to air and water pollution, thus leading to the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. This event united people from all walks of life in a common cause to protect the environment.

The worksheet also details how Earth Day evolved from a single day of action into an annual event that galvanizes efforts to protect the environment every day, not just once a year. It emphasizes the impact of Earth Day on policy, leading to new laws to protect the environment, and on individual behaviors, fostering a culture of conservation and sustainability. The bottom section contains questions that encourage students to reflect on the history, purpose, and outcomes of Earth Day. By engaging with this worksheet, students can deepen their understanding of environmental stewardship and the collective action that Earth Day inspires worldwide.