Interesting Facts about Earth Day and Energy Conservation

Earth Day is a worldwide event now celebrated in more than 193 countries. It’s beginnings date back to April 22, 1970, when some 20 million people (many of them college students) across the United States took to the streets to bring attention to the effects of pollution on Earth. Since then, this day has been designated as a day to show support for environmental protection—a time to commit ourselves to taking the needed measures to ensure clean air, land, and water now, and for generations to come. It’s a day set aside to educate ourselves on recycling, conservation, and what each of us as individuals, communities, and nations can and should do to protect the planet we live on. So, on this day take the time to appreciate our dear Mother Earth. 1. Senator Gaylord Nelson and John McConnell were the founding fathers of Earth Day. 2. Earth Day was founded on April 22, 1970, but the first celebration of this day was in 1969. 3. Over 2,000 colleges and universities and 10,000 primary and secondary schools participated in some form of the very first Earth Day in the United States. 4. On the first Earth Day, over 20 million people participated in peaceful demonstrations to show their support for environmental reform and share their appreciation for our planet and environment. 5. Earth Day has its own flag, which was designed by John McConnell. It is a picture of Earth that was taken by NASA on a background of dark blue. 6. A person would save approximately $10,000 per year if they had one less car and took public transit. 7. The Earth Day Network planted 28 million trees in Afghanistan on Earth Day 2011. Earth Day Network is the global coordinator for Earth Day. 8. In the United States, recycling, reuse, and remanufacturing account for 3.1 million jobs. 9. Earth Hour was created to help raise awareness on climate change and energy usage. All participants are to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour, all at the same time on the same day to help symbolize universal awareness. 10. It is said that Earth Day is the largest secular holiday in the world and is observed by more than one billion people. 11. More than 100,000 people rode bicycles in China on Earth Day 2012 to reduce CO2 emissions and save fuel. 12. The energy saved from recycling one glass bottle will operate a 100-watt lightbulb for four hours.

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