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Earth Day celebrates its 54th anniversary on Monday, April 22.
4月22日星期一將慶祝地球日54周年紀念日。
On this date each year, millions of people around the world mark the importance of protecting the environment.
每年的這一天，全世界數以百萬計的人都會紀念保護環境的重要性。
Worries about pollution and the environment began to increase in the 1960s.
對污染和環境的擔憂在20世紀60年代開始加劇。
In 1962, American scientist Rachel Carson published her book "Silent Spring."
1962年，美國科學家雷切爾·卡森出版了她的著作《寂靜的春天》。
It warned of the use of a chemical called DDT.
這本書警告人們使用一種名為DDT的化學物質。
The chemical kills insects but also harms larger animals.
這種化學物質會殺死昆蟲，但也會傷害較大的動物。
The book became popular in the United States and other countries.
該書在美國和其他國家都很受歡迎。
As a result, more people became concerned about the environment.
由于這個原因，越來越多的人開始關注環境。
Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. senator from the state of Wisconsin, had the idea that would become Earth Day.
來自威斯康星州的美國參議員蓋洛德·納爾遜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，納爾遜目睹了加利福尼亞州附近海域大規模石油泄漏造成的損害。
At the same time, people at some universities were holding events called "teach-ins" to call for action against the war in Vietnam.
與此同時，一些大學的人們舉行了一場名為“宣講會”的活動，呼吁對越南戰爭采取行動。
Nelson's idea was to hold a national "teach-in" on the environment.
納爾遜的想法是在全國范圍內舉辦一次關于環境的“宣講”。
Along with environmental activists, Nelson worked to expand the idea beyond universities.
納爾遜與環保活動人士一起致力于將這一想法擴展到大學以外的領域。
The activists wanted as many students as possible to take part.
活動人士希望盡可能多的學生參與進來。
So, they chose a weekday between spring break and final exams.
于是，他們選擇了春假和期末考試之間的一個工作日。
On April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day took place.
1970年4月22日，第一個地球日舉行。
After the first Earth Day, the U.S. Congress approved more laws to protect the environment.
在此之后，美國國會批準了更多保護環境的法律。
In December of 1970 it added more rules to the Clean Air Act.
1970年12月，國會在《清潔空氣法》中增加了更多法條。
And in 1972, it passed the Clean Water Act.
1972年，國會通過了《清潔水法》。
Many consider Earth Day to be the beginning of the modern environmental movement.
許多人認為地球日是現代環保運動的開始。
In 2000, the Earth Day organization started placing more attention on the warming of the Earth's atmosphere.
2000年，地球日組織開始更加關注地球大氣變暖。
This year, the event is centering on the harm that plastics can bring to the environment.
今年的活動重點關注塑料對環境造成的危害。
Activists are calling for the end of single-use plastics.
活動人士呼吁停止使用一次性塑料。
Earth Day is not an official holiday in the United States.
地球日不是美國的官方假日。
But many groups use the day to put together volunteer events, such as cleanups of natural areas.
但許多團體利用這一天舉辦志愿者活動，例如清理自然區域。
At the website EarthDay.Org, you can see a list of events around the world or organize your own event.
在EarthDay網站上，你可以查看世界各地的活動列表或組織您自己的活動。
I'm Andrew Smith.
我是安德魯·史密斯。
