South Feature Package Earth Day

epa02118969 A live treeits dead branch complete the circle of life in early morning mist in the Cradle of Humankind , north-west of Johannesburg , South Africa , 14 April 2010 . Earth Day is celebrated around the world annually on 22 April to inspire awareness ofappreciation for the earth ' s environment . On Earth Day individuals as well as environmental groups take action to raise awareness ofpolitical attention to environmental issues such as pollution , global warmingclimate change , to encourage public endeavour for a clean environment . Earth Day which was founded by US Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in in 1970 celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2010 .  According to the official website : ' Earth Day 2010 can be a turning point to advance climate policy , energy efficiency , renewable energygreen jobs . '  EPA/JON HRUSA