Published: April 22, 2026
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Celebrated globally April 22nd each year, events are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection
The first Earth Day was held in San Francisco in 1970 after Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin called for teach-ins on college campuses nationwide to raise awareness of environmental issues. The initial focus was on the United States and the negative impacts of 150 years of industrial development. Earth Day 1970 led to the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and it also indicated the beginning of new environmental laws to start the environmental legislative agenda, including passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and the Endangered Species Acts.
In 1990, Earth Day became a global event coordinated by the Earth Day Network . The Earth Day Network’s mission is to diversify, educate, and activate the environmental movement worldwide. This year’s theme, "Our Power, Our Planet" focuses again on renewable energy and its importance for people and the planet. We can achieve this by championing solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and tidal-generated energy. Read more about The Earth Day Network's commitment to harnessing renewable energy and building a healthy, sustainable future on their website. As defined in 42 U.S.C. § 7651(c), ‘‘qualified renewable energy’’ means energy derived from biomass, solar, geothermal, or wind, and the term ‘‘qualified energy conservation measure’’ means a cost effective measure that increases the efficiency of the use of electricity provided by an electric utility to its customers.
You can get involved in Earth Day 2026 in many ways. You can start by educating yourself and others about environmental issues and the legislation to protect our planet. You can also attend an Earth Day event in your community, or organize one yourself to bring people together for the betterment of our planet.
* Check out EPA resources: Lesson Ideas for Teachers , Homework Resources for Students , and Community Service Project Ideas .
* Find ways to celebrate Earth Day by volunteering or conserving at home, on the National Park Service's (NPS) website. .
* To support the celebration of Earth Day, The U.S. Government Publishing Office offers for sale new and classic official environmental publications that present both scientific and practical information to protect and improve the nation's air, foster the protection of plant and animal species and their habitats, help protect human health, and promote a cleaner and healthier environment for the American people.
Image: "Making Earth Day Every Day" Infographic Source: EPA
Clean Air Act and Amendments
- Clean Air Act*
- Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977*
- Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990*
- 77 Stat. 392 - Clean Air Act - December 17, 1963
- 81 Stat. 485 - Air Quality Act of 1967 - November 21, 1967
- 84 Stat. 1676 - Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970 – December 31, 1970
- 91 Stat. 685 - Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977 - August 7, 1977
- 104 Stat. 2399 - Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 - November 15, 1990
- 42 U.S.C. 85 - Air Pollution Prevention and Control
Clean Water Act and Amendments
- Safe Drinking Water Act*
- Clean Water Act (Federal Water Pollution Control Act)*
- 86 Stat. 816 - An Act to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act - October 18, 1972
- 91 Stat.1566 - Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments - December 27, 1977
- 101 Stat. 7 - Water Quality Act of 1987 - February 4, 1987
- 33 U.S.C. 26 - Water Pollution Prevention and Control
Other Legislation
- Endangered Species Act of 1973*
- Toxic Substances Control Act - October 11, 1976*
- 83 Stat. 852 - National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 - January 1, 1970
- 87 Stat. 884 - Endangered Species Act - December 28, 1973
- 94 Stat. 2767 - Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) - December 11, 1980
- 102 Stat. 2779 - Plastic Pollution Control Act of 1987 - October, 28, 1988
*This links to a Statute Compilation, which is a compilation of the public law, as amended, and is an unofficial document and should not be cited as legal evidence of the law. Learn more.
Additional Resources
- Click here to learn about Earth Day from the Environmental Protection Agency!
- EPA Summary of the Clean Air Act - 42 U.S.C. s7401 et seq. (1970)
- EPA Summary of the Clean Water Act - 33 U.S.C. s1251 et seq. (1972)
- EPA History: The First Earth Day
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