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SALT LAKE CITY -- More than a billion people worldwide are celebrating Earth Day. Since its creation by Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson 39 years ago, Earth Day activities have spread around the world to more than 170 countries.
In Utah, Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker celebrated Earth Day with a trip to the city's first and only school to earn a certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED.
Mayor Becker spoke to the students at Hillside Middle School, at 2375 Garfield Ave, about the importance of living a sustainable life and keeping the earth clean.
He said, "Think about today and what it means. Earth Day isn't something that's celebrated every day, but every day should be Earth Day."
He says his entire career was inspired by the first Earth Day when he was a senior in high school.
President Barack Obama's Earth Day Celebration included a big announcement. He's making a big push to generate electricity from wind and ocean currents.
He spent the morning at an Iowa wind energy plant, highlighting his energy proposal.
He says it's time to support and fund projects that will help the country harness the power of the earth's resources.
Obama said, "It is estimated that if we fully pursue our potential for wind energy on land and offshore, wind can generate as much as 20 percent of our electricity by 2030, creating as many as 250,000 jobs in the process."
President Obama said the nation must come together to make a transition to renewable energy.
