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Earth Day celebrates its 54th anniversary on Monday, April 22.
4月22日星期一将庆祝地球日54周年纪念日。
On this date each year, millions of people around the world mark the importance of protecting the environment.
每年的这一天，全世界数以百万计的人都会纪念保护环境的重要性。
Worries about pollution and the environment began to increase in the 1960s.
对污染和环境的担忧在20世纪60年代开始加剧。
In 1962, American scientist Rachel Carson published her book "Silent Spring."
1962年，美国科学家雷切尔·卡森出版了她的著作《寂静的春天》。
It warned of the use of a chemical called DDT.
这本书警告人们使用一种名为DDT的化学物质。
The chemical kills insects but also harms larger animals.
这种化学物质会杀死昆虫，但也会伤害较大的动物。
The book became popular in the United States and other countries.
该书在美国和其他国家都很受欢迎。
As a result, more people became concerned about the environment.
由于这个原因，越来越多的人开始关注环境。
Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. senator from the state of Wisconsin, had the idea that would become Earth Day.
来自威斯康星州的美国参议员盖洛德·纳尔逊提出了地球日的想法。
Nelson saw damage from a large oil spill in the ocean near the state of California in January of 1969.
1969年1月，纳尔逊目睹了加利福尼亚州附近海域大规模石油泄漏造成的损害。
At the same time, people at some universities were holding events called "teach-ins" to call for action against the war in Vietnam.
与此同时，一些大学的人们举行了一场名为“宣讲会”的活动，呼吁对越南战争采取行动。
Nelson's idea was to hold a national "teach-in" on the environment.
纳尔逊的想法是在全国范围内举办一次关于环境的“宣讲”。
Along with environmental activists, Nelson worked to expand the idea beyond universities.
纳尔逊与环保活动人士一起致力于将这一想法扩展到大学以外的领域。
The activists wanted as many students as possible to take part.
活动人士希望尽可能多的学生参与进来。
So, they chose a weekday between spring break and final exams.
于是，他们选择了春假和期末考试之间的一个工作日。
On April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day took place.
1970年4月22日，第一个地球日举行。
After the first Earth Day, the U.S. Congress approved more laws to protect the environment.
在此之后，美国国会批准了更多保护环境的法律。
In December of 1970 it added more rules to the Clean Air Act.
1970年12月，国会在《清洁空气法》中增加了更多法条。
And in 1972, it passed the Clean Water Act.
1972年，国会通过了《清洁水法》。
Many consider Earth Day to be the beginning of the modern environmental movement.
许多人认为地球日是现代环保运动的开始。
In 2000, the Earth Day organization started placing more attention on the warming of the Earth's atmosphere.
2000年，地球日组织开始更加关注地球大气变暖。
This year, the event is centering on the harm that plastics can bring to the environment.
今年的活动重点关注塑料对环境造成的危害。
Activists are calling for the end of single-use plastics.
活动人士呼吁停止使用一次性塑料。
Earth Day is not an official holiday in the United States.
地球日不是美国的官方假日。
But many groups use the day to put together volunteer events, such as cleanups of natural areas.
但许多团体利用这一天举办志愿者活动，例如清理自然区域。
At the website EarthDay.Org, you can see a list of events around the world or organize your own event.
在EarthDay网站上，你可以查看世界各地的活动列表或组织您自己的活动。
I'm Andrew Smith.
我是安德鲁·史密斯。
