Today we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Back in 1970, a number of events prompted Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, a former U.S. senator, to make people aware of environmental issues. In 1969, the Cuyahoga River in Ohio had caught fire due to oil floating on its surface, and a massive oil spill had ravaged the beaches of Santa Barbara. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was formed in December 1970 due to bipartisan recognition of the need to clean up the environment.
During these last 50 years, we have seen our air and water cleaned up as people recognize that we all inhabit this Earth together and must protect it together.