Recycling
Name the three R's of waste management.
Reduce, reuse, and recycle
What year was the first Earth Day celebrated?
1970
Name the process by which heat is trapped in the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
The greenhouse effect.
This environmental disaster occurred in 1989 when an oil tanker spilled millions of gallons of crude oil into the waters off the coast of Alaska.
The Exxon Valdez oil spill.
True or false: The extinction of species is a completely natural process and is not influenced by human activities.
False
This term refers to the process of breaking down organic materials such as food scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich soil amendments.
Composting
What international organization formalized Earth Day as a global event in 1990?
The United Nations.
Name the primary greenhouse gas responsible for global warming.
Carbon dioxide or CO2
This nuclear power plant disaster, considered the worst in history, occurred in 1986 in what is now Ukraine.
Chernobyl
By choosing to walk, bike, or use public transportation instead of driving, individuals can reduce their ___________.
Carbon footprint
This "Mean Girl" material is often recycled into insulation, packaging, and textiles.
Plastic
Name at least one of the three "theatrical sounding" pieces of environmental legislation that were inspired by the first Earth Day.
The Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, or Endangered Species Act.
This gas, often released from agricultural activities, contributes to global warming and is more potent than carbon dioxide.
Methane
This 1979 environmental disaster, caused by the release of radioactive waste into the environment, occurred at a nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania.
Three Mile Island
True or false: Landfills are a sustainable way to manage waste.
False
What is the most recyclable material?
Aluminum
What is the theme of Earth Day 2024?
"Planet vs Plastics" - which calls to advocate for widespread awareness on the health risks of plastics, rapidly phase out all single use plastics, urgently push for a strong UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution, and demand an end to fast fashion.
These natural areas act as carbon sinks, helping to mitigate the effects of global warming.
Forests
This river, known as one of the most polluted waterways in the world, caught fire multiple times due to industrial waste dumping.
The Cuyahoga River
What widely practiced oil and gas extraction method has been linked to groundwater contamination and earthquakes?
Fracking or hydraulic fracturing