The History of Earth Day: Driving Environmental Change

On 22 April 1970, his vision became reality with the first Earth Day seeing 20 million Americans take to the streets in rallies, teach-ins and marches. 

Boosted by student organiser Denis Hayes, and supported by groups like the United Auto Workers, led by Walter Reuther, the event galvanised public demand for environmental reform.

This initial Earth Day was a turning point in US environmental history. 

It drew widespread bipartisan support and led directly to the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) later that year. 

The Earth Day movement also helped pass critical legislation such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act.

In 1990, Denis helped expand Earth Day into a global movement. 

“That first Earth Day was so important in part because we brought together a huge basket of different issues: urban air pollution, freeways cutting through neighbourhoods, leaded paint, DDT, the Santa Barbara oil spill and rivers catching on fire,” comments Denis.