Overview
- Earth Day, observed Wednesday, brought cleanups, tree plantings, teach-ins, and rallies worldwide under the theme Our Power, Our Planet.
- In Washington, D.C., XRDC and Third Act rallied Tuesday to oppose new AI data centers, and CCAN Action Fund gathered Wednesday to press city leaders to fund climate programs.
- The observance began in 1970 after Senator Gaylord Nelson called a national teach-in following the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, drawing about 20 million Americans and helping spur the EPA and landmark clean-air and clean-water laws.
- EarthDay.org now coordinates activities in roughly 190 to 193 countries with participation often cited at about one billion people, and the day remains outside the list of U.S. federal holidays.
- EarthDay.org lists local events and notes April 22 was picked to fall between spring break and final exams to maximize student turnout, reflecting the movement’s campus teach-in roots.