Happy International Mother Earth Day. Today, millions of people around the world unite to take action for our planet.
Since its inception in 1970, Earth Day has grown into the largest environmental movement on the planet, inspiring action from more than 1 billion people across more than 190 countries.
The origins of Earth Day
Just like Ecojustice, Earth Day was founded in response to a devastating oil spill.
On January 28, 1969, an oil well at Union Oil’s offshore platform in the Santa Barbara Channel ruptured, causing one of the worst ever oil spills in U.S. waters.
In response, Senator Gaylord Nelson proposed a national teach-in to raise awareness about environmental issues. He enlisted activist Denis Hayes to organize the event, which became the first Earth Day in 1970.
The protests across the United States brought together 20 million people and led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and landmark laws such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. Those laws have since saved millions of lives.
Why Earth Day matters now more than ever
From record-breaking wildfires to disappearing species, our environment is under immense pressure. Governments and corporations must be held accountable for their role in this crisis, and that’s exactly what we do at Ecojustice.
By using the power of the law, we push for stronger environmental protections and real solutions.
But we don’t do this alone. Our work is only possible with the support of our community — people like you, who believe in a better future for our planet.
What can you do this Earth Day?
Ecojustice is 100% donor-funded. We don’t accept money from governments, or corporations who don’t align with our values.
Your support fuels all our work — from representing clients for free who couldn’t otherwise afford it, to working with governments to draft new legislation to meet the urgency of the climate and ecological crises.
This Earth Month, every donation made will be matched by our generous Earth Month Matchmakers. That means if you donate this April, it will have double the impact to support our team of lawyers, scientists and experts.
Your donation helps us:
- Hold governments and polluters accountable through legal action.
- Push for stronger environmental laws that protect people and the planet.
- Defend biodiversity and vulnerable ecosystems from destructive industrial activities.
Together, we can create lasting change.
