Earth Day 2024 Earth Day, It’s not a day, it’s a movement! Ever wonder how Earth Day began? The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970, when San Francisco activist John McConnell and Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson separately asked Americans to join in a grassroots demonstration. Dealing with dangerously serious issues concerning toxic drinking water, air pollution, and the effects of pesticides, an impressive 20 million Americans—10% of the population— ventured outdoors and protested together. President Richard Nixon led the nation in creating the Environmental Protection Agency, which was followed with successful laws, including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Loving God means caring for creation The Christian vision of creation care is rooted in Scripture. Jesus taught that the most important commandments are to love God with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:29-31). Our love for God must be reflected in fulfilling the role God gave to humanity. God appointed us to bear God’s image (Gen 1:27) and entrusted this world to our care (Gen. 2:15). So, caring for God’s creation is one of the most fundamental things we are called to do.