Earth Day
For a Happier Earth
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
I can recycle by using old things and turning them into new ones. For example, I can take a paper towel roll and use it in an art project. I can also look for the recycle symbol on things when I'm throwing them out to make sure I put it in the right place. This can help reduce the amount of waste in landfills.
The History of Earth Day
In the 1960s, Americans were protesting against the Vietnam War, but ignoring the environment. No one really seemed to care what happened to the Earth. That is, until 1962. Rachel Carson released a book titled Silent Spring; it was about an environmental movement that caught people's attention. In 1969, Gaylord Nelson came up with the idea for Earth Day after an oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. The First Earth Day was on April 22, 1970, and was a huge success. To this day, Earth Day is still celebrated across the country.
Fun Facts
- For every ton of paper we recycle saves 17 trees.
- We use 90% less energy to recycle aluminum cans than we do to make new ones.
- The average person we throw out 4 pounds of garbage each day.
- Half of the world's rain forests were lost to deforestation.