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Environmental Issues - Earth Day

Discover information and resources on the history of the environmental movement and Earth Day.

Books from the Oakton Library

No-Waste Composting

No-Waste Composting includes step-by-step plans for multiple small-scale indoor and outdoor composting systems that turn repurposed household items into containment systems for composting kitchen scraps and yard waste.

All We Can Save

To change everything, we need everyone. All We Can Save illuminates the expertise and insights of dozens of diverse women leading on climate in the United States scientists, journalists, farmers, lawyers, teachers, activists, innovators, wonks, and designers, across generations, geographies, and race-and aims to advance a more representative, nuanced, and solution-oriented public conversation on the climate crisis.

Zero Waste

Easy, effective strategies to jumpstart a sustainable, waste-Free lifestyle Be part of the solution! Implement these small changes at your own pace, and restructure your life to one of sustainable living for your community, your health, and the earth that sustains you.

Living Green

The information and resources make it valuable for anyone who is interested in living a more sustainable and environmentally friendly life. Our actions have a powerful impact on the environment: how we heat and cool our homes, the types of cars we drive, and even the foods we consume all contribute to the health of the planet.

Gaia's Web

Gaia's Web introduces profoundly novel ways of addressing our most pressing environmental challenges-mitigating climate change, protecting endangered species-and creating new possibilities for ecological justice by empowering nonhumans to participate in environmental regulation.

ECOrenaissance

ECOrenaissance provides inspiring tips and tricks for how to live and shop in harmony with nature without sacrificing style or luxury. You will find new, empowering ways to make "green" elegant in your life, prioritizing current global needs without sacrificing comfort.

Food Is the Solution

Food policy advocate Matthew Prescott takes us on a global journey to discover which foods help solve some of our biggest crises. With more than 80 great-tasting, plant-based recipes to help us all eat cleaner and greener, this book proves the power is on our plates.

History of Earth Day

History of Earth Day and the Environmental Movement

An annual observance of the need to protect the natural environment, held on April 22. Conceived by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, the first Earth Day was held in 1970, organized by environmentalist Dennis Hayes, who has continued in this role ever since. The concept caught the imagination of many Americans, especially students, and some 20 million people participated in Earth Day demonstrations that first year, including 10,000 grade and high schools, 2,000 colleges, and 1,000 communities. Congress adjourned for the day so that members could speak at environmental rallies in their districts. At the 30th anniversary of Earth Day, in 2000, the theme was clean energy and the need to deal with global change stemming from the use of fossil fuel. Many magazines and television programs were devoted to the event, including a special issue of Time (April-May 2000). 

Ashworth, W., & Little, C. E. (2001). Earth Day. In Encyclopedia of Environmental Studies, New Edition. New York: Facts On File. Retrieved June 22, 2021, from online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=15050&itemid=WE40&articleId=307360.

Mother Earth Day

International Mother Earth Day

April 22


The proclamation of 22 April as International Mother Earth Day is an acknowledgement that the Earth and its ecosystems provide its inhabitants with life and sustenance.

Environmental Legislation