Earth Day and the Environmental Movement

April 22, 2020 marked the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. This timely nonfiction title presents a comprehensive overview of the environmental movement to save our planet, from its initial inception to its present-day setbacks and struggles. Problems like oil spills, pollution, and overflowing landfills were becoming all too frequent occurrences in the American landscape and Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson had seen enough. The senator's brainchild of establishing an "environmental teach-in" eventually became the first Earth Day, which saw 20 million Americans advocating for environmental justice. Earth Day has since led to multiple environmental laws and the development of the Environmental Protection Agency. This book takes a historic look at the birth, growth, and transformation of the environmental movement with multiple sidebars and relevant side stories spread throughout the pages. Filled with charts, graphs, primary source materials, and photographs, the information and historical examples will leap from each page and sink into the reader's memory. The information in this powerful nonfiction selection is densely packed, but it is a necessary topic that is as relevant today as it was 50 years ago. The author expertly weaves a historical timeline of relevant environmental events and notes the changes in viewpoint from the various presidential administrations throughout the last 50 years. Science and history combine in what is sure to be a worthwhile addition to the classroom, the library, or the home. A wide array of educational opportunities are available through this book, including opposing viewpoint debates, reports on human-made disasters, science fair projects, current events, and much more. Additional Resources. Bibliography. Glossary. Index. Source Notes. Table of Contents.