Earth Day · Worksheet 1
The Day 20 Million People Spoke Up
Read the story. 英文を読もう。
1In January 1969, oil began to pour into the sea near Santa Barbara, California. Black oil covered the beaches. More than 10,000 seabirds, dolphins, seals, and sea lions died. A few months later, a dirty river in Ohio caught fire. Many Americans were shocked and angry.
2A senator named Gaylord Nelson had an idea. College students were already holding big meetings about the Vietnam War. Why not hold meetings about the environment, too? He asked a young student, Denis Hayes, to help. They chose April 22, a Wednesday between spring break and final exams. That way, many college students could join.
3On April 22, 1970, about 20 million Americans took part in the first Earth Day. That was one in ten people in the country. In New York City, a famous street was closed to cars. People walked, talked, and cleaned up their towns. By the end of the year, the country had a new government agency to protect the environment.
4Soon, Earth Day was not only for Americans. In 1990, 200 million people in 141 countries joined. In 2016, leaders from 174 countries and the European Union signed the Paris climate agreement on Earth Day. Today, children around the world plant trees, pick up trash, and learn about plastic.
5There is even a Japanese bell at the United Nations in New York. It was made from coins from more than 60 countries. Every March, people ring it for another Earth Day. So what can you do on April 22? Turn off a light, carry your own bottle, or pick up one piece of trash. Small actions can add up to a big change.
- oil 石油、油
- shocked ショックを受けた
- senator 上院議員
- environment 環境
- exam 試験
- take part in ～に参加する
- agency （政府の）機関、庁
- protect 守る
- agreement 協定、合意
- trash ごみ
- coin 硬貨、コイン
- add up to 合計で～になる