The Earth Day Movement started on April 22, 1970, and it changed how we think about the environment all over the world. With millions of people joining events to spread the word about environmental issues, this movement got a lot of support from the public and caught the eye of lawmakers. Together, they made important changes to laws and policies.

How the Earth Day Movement Changed Environmental Laws:

1. Starting New Agencies: One of the first results of the Earth Day Movement was the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970. This agency works to keep people healthy and protect the environment by making sure that laws passed by Congress are followed.

2. New Environmental Laws: After Earth Day, Congress passed some important laws, including:

   • The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA, 1969): This law made it necessary for federal agencies to look at how their actions would impact the environment.
   • The Clean Air Act (1970): This law aimed to reduce air pollution.
   • The Clean Water Act (1972): This law was created to protect and improve the quality of the nation's waters.

3. Global Impact: The Earth Day Movement also inspired people around the world. Many other countries started to create their own environmental policies, showing a worldwide effort to promote sustainable practices.

In short, the Earth Day Movement sparked changes in environmental laws that not only changed public policy in the United States but also helped set new standards for the environment around the globe. The awareness raised during Earth Day is still felt today, proving that grassroots activism can lead to real change in laws.