Air District celebrates Earth Day’s 50th anniversary

Earth Day was founded in 1970 as a day of education about environmental issues. It is now a global celebration to raise public awareness of pollution. The theme of Earth Day 2020 is “climate action.” For decades the Air District has focused on developing comprehensive rules and strategies to improve and protect air quality and the climate.

“Since Earth Day started 50 years ago, the Bay Area has experienced dramatic improvements in air quality despite significant increases in traffic and population,” said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the Air District. “It’s important to note, many challenges lie ahead. As progress made over the last 50 years is threatened by climate change and the rollback of emissions standards at the federal level, we must all commit to taking the necessary actions that will make a lasting difference moving forward.”

To celebrate Earth Day, the Air District will share significant air quality and climate achievements over the last 50 years. Residents can check the Air District’s Facebook and Twitter feeds for free Earth Day video conference backgrounds, a video and to view photographs showing air pollution from decades past in the Bay Area, as well as factoids highlighting improvements in public health and air quality. 

View press release(321 Kb PDF, 1 pg, posted 2020/5/13)( English | Tagalog | Español | tiếng Việt ).

Earth Day Activities

Watch the Air District's Earth Day video.

Play bingo with the Air District's Earth Day Bingo Cards(646 Kb PDF, 5 pgs, posted 2020/4/21).

Play the Air District's Earth Day Jeopardy Game(141 Kb PDF, 4 pgs, posted 2020/4/21).

Download the Air District's remote meeting backgrounds (follow link to image and then right-click on image to save):

• Background 1 (Clouds)(753 Kb JPG, posted 2020/4/22)
• Background 2 (California poppies)(916 Kb JPG, posted 2020/4/22)
• Background 3 (Lighthouse)(1 Mb JPG, posted 2020/4/22)
• Background 4 (Rolling hills)(1 Mb JPG, posted 2020/4/22)
• Background 5 (Tree on hillside)(1 Mb JPG, posted 2020/4/22)