Kid Reporter Isabelle Quinn and Earth Day organizer Denis Hayes at his office in Seattle, Washington. (Photo courtesy Isabelle Quinn)
Earth Day Turns 40
First Earth Day organizer recalls planet with no protection
As a child, Denis Hayes frequently woke up with a sore throat caused by poisonous gasses from a nearby paper mill. The mill dominated his town on the Columbia River Gorge in Washington State. As a grown man, Hayes decided to do something to protect the environment from those kinds of pollutants.
"There was no pollution control at all," says Hayes, who grew up to become the Executive Director of the first Earth Day. "We watched them pour all sorts of crud into this beautiful part of the river."
Hayes got his official start as an environmentalist when he was a graduate student at Harvard University. Senator Gaylord Nelson, who created Earth Day, asked Hayes to organize the first nation-wide celebration.
That was in 1970. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the young student's efforts. On April 22, 2010, millions of people throughout the world will take part in a day of awareness designed to protect the planet.
"We called it Earth Day, but it was really all about the United States," says Hayes. "By 1990, it was truly Earth Day—about the earth."
Hayes brought together groups of students from around the world to work with international Earth Day board members to begin implementing environmental changes. Some of their first projects included fighting dams, ozone depletion, and the epidemic of extinction. They didn't have Internet or email, so all the work was done by phone, travel, and letters.
By 1990, the group persuaded 141 nations to take part in an international celebration of Earth Day. Hayes considers this one his greatest legacies.
"I'm in my sixties, but any time I'm introduced, everybody always says, ‘This is the guy who worked on the first Earth Day!'" he said.
Hayes is still fighting pollution and working to save the earth. He recently started a project called "A Billion Acts of Green."
"We're asking everyone to register what they're doing on www.earthday.net, so they can see that their acts fit in with the acts of millions or even billions of other people," he said. Whether it's a big thing, like planting 100 trees or, a little thing, like recycling a plastic bottle, Hayes says it all makes a difference.
What else can you do to protect the earth? Says Hayes, don't buy a whole bunch of stuff you don't need.
"There's a tendency to see something you want and go out and get it," he said.
Even bothering your parents can help! Ask them whether they've insulated the attic to conserve energy. You can also request more vegetables and less red meat at the dinner table.
"Every mother and father on earth wants to be a hero to their children," says Hayes. "They will do these things for you if nudged a little bit."
If there's one thing that this environmentalist wants you to know, it's that our planet is a beautiful place and we need to keep it that way. He explains that there's a concept in biology called "Fouling Your Own Nest." Look at the birds on a telephone wire that let off little white "splats."
"They don't do that in their own nest," says Hayes. "Essentially, the earth is our nest."
Watch video of Kid Reporter Isabelle Quinn talking with Denis Hayes about organizing the first Earth Day and the importance of celebrating Earth Day everyday.
EARTH DAY @ 40
Celebrate 40 years of Earth Day and the fight to keep our planet clean on April 22. Scholastic Kid Reporters explore ways to make every day Earth Day in the Earth Day @ 40 Special Report.
NEWS FOR KIDS, BY KIDS
Get the latest on national and international events, movies, television, music, sports, and more from the Scholastic Kids Press Corps.
- Scholastic Store
-
The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary (revised and expanded Edition)
The Scholastic Store 
The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary (revised and expanded Edition)
by Jeff Kinney and Jeff KinneyThe first Diary of a Wimpy Kid movie opened on March 19, 2010, and earned over $75 million worldwide, making it one of the most successful films of the year. With The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary, author Jeff Kinney shared his Hollywood experience on the set and explained to readers how a major motion picture gets made. That was just the beginning of the story. Now, in this revised and expanded edition, Jeff Kinney fills in the rest of the moviemaking process with more inside stories, new artwork, and exclusive images. Also included is a special sneak peek at Rodrick Rules, the new movie coming in March 2011. This revised and expanded edition of The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary is the perfect companion to the bestselling series.
About the Author:Jeff Kinney is an online game developer and designer, and a #1 New York Times bestselling author. In 2009, Jeff was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World. He spent his childhood in the Washington, D.C., area and moved to New England in 1995. Jeff lives in southern Massachusetts with his wife and their two sons.
$11.96 You save: 20%
books;hardcover books;hardcovers | Ages 8-13
Ages 8-13 $11.96
- Scholastic Store
-
Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules
The Scholastic Store 
Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules
by Jeff Kinney and Jeff KinneySecrets have a way of getting out, especially when a diary is involved.
Whatever you do, don't ask Greg Heffley how he spent his summer vacation, because he definitely doesn't want to talk about it.
As Greg enters the new school year, he's eager to put the past three months behind him . . . . and one event in particular.
Unfortunately for Greg, his older brother, Rodrick, knows all about the incident Greg wants to keep under wraps. But secrets have a way of getting out . . . . especially when a diary is involved.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules chronicles Greg's attempts to navigate the hazards of middle school, impress the girls, steer clear of the school talent show, and most important, keep his secret safe.
About the Author:Jeff Kinney is an online game developer and designer, and a #1 New York Times bestselling author. In 2009, Jeff was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World. He spent his childhood in the Washington, D.C., area and moved to New England in 1995. Jeff lives in southern Massachusetts with his wife and their two sons.
$9.76 You save: 30%
Staff Review:
Hilarious and extremely silly cartoons in two fun-packed albums by Jeff Kinney! As Greg always says, "Don't always expect me to be 'Dear Diary' this and 'Dear Diary' that." With so many new characters and silly stories, how can the fun ever end!
Milan C.
books;hardcover books;hardcovers | Ages 8-13
Ages 8-13 $9.76
 |
 How has Earth Day changed since the first one was celebrated 40 years ago? Check out Kid Reporter Isabelle Quinn's interview with Denis Hayes, the organizer of the first Earth Day, to find out! |
 |
