On this day of the earth, you could be lucky enough to recognize a white -head lake eagle. If you are in the northwest of Pacific, you could even see a 50,000 pound hunchback whale that jumps out of the water right off the coast. Both were once considered endangered species, and both now thrive.

But did you know that today without the positive changes triggered by the first day of the earth in 1970, this may not even be possible? Before that, the future of the environment looked bleak. In an article from 1980 in the journal of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), scientists wrote:

“The Eriesee died, and the other large lakes were threatened by pollution of the steel plants, oil refineries, paper factories and sewage plants in the city that had beaten the world’s largest freshwater system for a hundred years.”

Something had to be done. And on April 22, 1970, an estimated 20 million Americans across the country took to the streets with massive demonstrations and rallies. This triggered national discussions about the state of the environment and the day of the earth was born. In the following decades, comprehensive legislation for the protection of air, water, land and wild animals was adopted, including the establishment of the EPA:

• 1970 – Clean Air Act
• 1970 – Law to improve water quality
• 1970 – Law on safety and health of occupational safety
• 1972 – Law on clean water
• 1972 – Federal Act on Environmental Pesticide Control
• 1973 – Act of endangered species
• 1974 – Law on safe drinking water
• 1976 – Law to maintain and restore resources and relaxation
• 1976 – Control Act of toxic substances
• 1976 – Federal Act on Land Policy and Management
• 1977 – Law on surface mining and the recovery of the law

“I think it underlines that these are really deep American values,” said Dr. Andrew Pershing, Chief Program Officer at Climate Central, in an interview with the weather company. “This is part of our national DNA, and I think there is a really strong spirit in this country where it wants to have a lively environment.”

The results speak for themselves. Since Richard Nixon signed the Clean Air Act in 1970, the most important pollutants have decreased dramatically. The bleile content in our atmosphere has dropped by 98%. The vehicles are now up to 95% cleaner and sulfur dioxide emissions of power plants have dropped by 90%. This has led to clean air and less premature deaths, heart attacks and breathing problems.

The law on clean water has prevented an estimated £ 700 billion to poisonous pollutants into our waterways every year. This has helped slowing down the wetland with the slowdown and enables fish populations to recover in once exaggerated rivers and lakes.

“I live here in the center of New Jersey, one of the most densely populated states in the country, and regularly see Weißkopfseadler,” Pershing noticed. “This is due to the law on endangered species and the law on clean water that protects the food on which they rely on. The fact that we are now seeing eagles in the USA – our national bird – is the work that people did in the 1970s.”

The Safe drinking water law adopted in 1974 now offers 92% of Americans access to drinking water that corresponds to the federal health standards by eliminating more than 90 contaminants. Nevertheless, more than 2 million Americans have no access to clean drinking water at home, and almost a quarter of the US households that rely on private fountains are contaminated with risks of substances such as arsenic and E. coli.

The fruits of long -term investments

If the day of the earth has shown us something, it is possible that changes are possible when we work together. From clean air to healthier waterways, we have seen what coordinated measures, laws and public awareness can achieve.

Recycling has also grown dramatically. In 1970 only about 3% of American households recycled. Thanks to education and infrastructure, this number is now 32%. While there is still room for improvement, it is a clear sign of progress.

“Everything comes together,” said Pershing. “We see the fruits of this investment 40 to 50 years ago.”

While changes have come, challenges remain

Despite progress, there is still a lot to do.

“I am really concerned that climate change could relax many of the great progress that we have achieved through other environmental rules,” warned Pershing.

According to Climate Central, the adjacent US -UNs are now 2.8 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than in 1970, with some cities -like Reno -that underpins almost 8 degrees. This temperature rise affects everything, from agriculture and running fire to sea ecosystems and our daily life.

“In the 1970s, science just appeared about the connection between carbon dioxide and warming,” said Pershing. “It was only in the late 80s and early 90s that the scientific consensus has really solidified. Since then we have seen warming year after year than more CO2 entered the atmosphere.”

Pershing explains that the carbon problem was much more difficult to manage, since it is less visible than the problems with air, water pollution and throw in 1970, although the negative effects were very visible.

A new chapter for the planet

The first day of the earth triggered a movement that deformed our world – and reminded us that recovery is possible. From the return of species once on the edge to the healing of waters that were once too toxic to touch, we saw what could do certain actions. Today a new generation is facing new challenges, but the mission remains the same: protect the only home we have.

Jennifer Gray is a weather and climate author for Weather.com. She has reported some of the world’s largest weather and climate cupboards in the world in the past two decades.