Nurture the Nature: A celebration of Earth. The Earth is a total of 4.543 billion years old! Starting from clumps of gas and particles, the Earth has transformed into the only planet in the solar system to support life. Billions of years later, on April 22, 1970 the first Earth Day was celebrated. Before the celebration of Earth, humanity evolved and industrialized while unknowingly causing great damage to the planet. At the time, every major city in the United States had an unpleasant sight and order due to polluted rivers and lakes. Air pollution became an even bigger concern when smoke from factories was producing thick fog, later called smog, that covered the sun and produced damaging respiratory risks and trouble breathing. Environmentalists began a peaceful movement where people from all over the United States gathered in schools, universities, churches, clubs, parks, and auditoriums for the very first Earth Day demonstration. A total of around twenty million people participated, creating the largest demonstration in history. 

There are many things to love about Earth. One student says that one of her favorite things about Earth is how, “we can experience all different seasons.” Each season is beautiful and different in its own way, but that itself may not last forever. Climate change is creating severe problems for the environment and if nothing changes, global temperatures will shift and create longer and hotter summers while winters warm up and shorten. Another student states that they “love the beauty and vastness of the earth.” With its great lakes and remarkable landscapes, the Earth not only provides us with a home, it shows people different landmarks and places to enjoy. As modern society develops however, these places are riddled with pollution and reducing the amount of land preserved. These lands are constantly decreasing and degrading causing vast amounts of pollution throughout the world. 

This year, Earth Day has an official theme of “Planet vs. Plastics.” Everyone can help control the amount of pollution on Earth, even by just recycling a single bottle. Each effort can make a vast difference.