Earth Day: Celebrating 55 years of environmental awakening
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast:
April 22, 2022
Dearest reader,
On this day, we honor Earth Day, a momentous celebration that blossomed from a seed planted in 1970, igniting the modern environmental movement.
Before Earth Day, pollution ran rampant, factories emitted clouds of toxic smoke, and waterways were sullied with impunity. It was Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin who, inspired by the anti-war teach-ins of the 1960s, envisioned a nationwide “teach-in” to elevate environmental consciousness.
The first Earth Day, held on April 22, 1970, drew an astonishing twenty million Americans into rallies, demonstrations, and grassroots actions—remarkable for a time without the internet or social media.
This sweeping public awakening sparked swift political change: by year’s end, Congress authorized the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and passed groundbreaking laws such as the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts.
Since then, Earth Day has flourished into a global phenomenon, engaging over a billion people in nearly 200 countries. It reminds us all of the urgent need to protect the breathing, living Earth beneath our feet and above our heads.
It calls gardeners, activists, dreamers, and leaders alike to celebrate nature’s gifts and work towards healing our shared home.
Dear gardener, as you plant seeds or tend your blooms this season, consider Earth Day’s enduring message: every small act of care nourishes the planet’s future.
How will you honor this day by planting kindness, stewardship, or renewal?
