2010 Earth Day – The 40 Year Anniversary

Earth Day 2010 falls on April 22. Earth Day began on April 22, 1970 and is a day to reflect on our planet, our environment and what we can do to help keep them healthy. An estimated twenty million Americans took part in the first Earth Day.

In just the first 6 years of the first earth day in 1970, accomplishments in the United States included:

The Environmental Protection Agency was established in 1970. The EPA consolidated in one agency a variety of federal research, monitoring, standard-setting and enforcement activities to ensure environmental protection. EPA’s mission is to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment—air, water, and land.

The Clean Water Act (CWA), the cornerstone of surface water quality protection in the United States, became law in 1972. It has provided more than 62% of the United States with cleaner water. It has enabled millions of people to fish, swim and  drink out of waters due to a reduction in pollutants.

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 protects plants and animals that are listed by the federal government as “endangered” or “threatened.”  The ESA requires balancing species protection and people’s economic needs. The Act has been nearly 100 percent successful in saving species from extinction.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 created the labor department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Among other things, it establish maximum levels of exposure to lead, asbestos, chemicals, and other toxic substances in the workplace. In doing so, it reduced in-plant pollution.

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), enacted in 1976, gives the Environmental Protection Agency the authority to control hazardous waste from the “cradle-to-grave.” This includes the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste.

President Obama Marks 40th Anniversary of Earth Day in 2010

President Obama marks 40th anniversary of Earth Day. He speaks about forty years of Earth Day and his administration’s efforts to fight for a healthier environment.

2010 Earth Day Video by Tupperware Brands