Who is called the father of Earth Day

Senator Gaylord Nelson is widely recognized as the father of Earth Day for founding the observance in 1970. As a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, Nelson was deeply concerned about environmental degradation and frustrated by the lack of political attention to ecological issues. Inspired by the student anti-war movement and galvanized by the devastating 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, he conceived the idea of a national teach-in on the environment to force environmental protection onto the national political agenda.

Nelson's vision brought together diverse constituencies—students, labor unions, religious groups, and civic organizations—creating a nonpartisan movement that transcended political divisions. He enlisted Denis Hayes, a young activist, to serve as national coordinator, and together they mobilized 20 million Americans to participate in the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. This groundbreaking event is credited with launching the modern environmental movement and directly influencing the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and landmark environmental legislation. Nelson's legacy continues through the annual celebration that has grown into a global movement involving over 190 countries.