Earth Day, event first observed internationally on April 22, 1970, to emphasize the necessity for the conservation of the world‘s natural resources. Starting as a student-led campus movement, initially observed on March 21, Earth Day has become a majore ducational and media event. Environmentalists use it as an occasion to sum up current environmental problems of the planet：the pollution of air, water, and soils; the destruction of habitats; the decimation of hundreds of thousands of plant and animal species; and the depletion of nonrenewable resources. The emphasisis on solutions that will slow and possibly reverse the negative effects of human activities. Such solutions include recycling of manufactured materials, fuel and energy conservation, banning the use of harmful chemicals, halting the destruction of major habitats such as rain forests, and protecting endangered species.

1970年4月22日，为了强调保护世界自然资源的必要性，国际上第一次举行了世界地球日。这场由学生发起的校园运动，最初定于3月21日，已经成了教育和媒体的大事。环境保护者们以此为契机，总结了当时地球存在的环境问题：大气污染、水污染、土地污染、栖息地被破坏、成百上千的动植物物种灭绝、不可再生资源的消耗。总结的重点在于强调采取措施减缓并扭转人们负面影响的重要性。这些措施包括重复使用原料、保护燃料和能源、禁止有害化学品的使用、停止对主要栖息地如雨林的破坏、保护濒危物种。