Earth Day and the Environmental Movement: Standing Up for Earth

Gr 7 Up–With a singular focus on explaining the impetus for Earth Day and the subsequent work of “standing up for Earth,” Peterson delivers a manifesto on the environment. Earth Day was first celebrated on April 22, 1970. Millions of Americans joined together in solidarity to conduct coast-to-coast rallies and raise awareness about environmental protections. Since then, policies have been adopted, laws have been passed, and people have continued to protest gross negligence. But the rise of environmental advocacy also fuels the spread of disinformation and polarizing concerns, which Peterson also addresses in great length. Examples of environmental disasters are presented as a call to action. The book, despite its slim size, successfully covers people who have made an impact or are influencing the conversation. But even more significant are the two additions to every chapter: an example of youth activism and an example of the intersectionality of the environment, race, and justice.