The International
Earth Day started as an environment movement
demanding a healthy and sustainable environment
in response to the pollution caused by industrial
development in USA in the 1960s. The first nation-wide
rally was held on 22 April 1970, with 20 million
Americans taking to the streets and parks. The
protests had a dramatic influence on public
policy and led to the creation of the US
Environment Protection Agency, and to the passage
of many important environmental acts, including
the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered
Species acts. In 1990, the Earth Day became a
global event with 200 million people from 141
nations participating in thousands of activities.
Such international concern for the environment
has helped raise environmental issues on the
world stage, and has led some governments to
create agencies for environmental protection.
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