Just a few decades ago, people could get away with heavily polluting the environment without any legal implications. In 1970, Earth Day was started by a senator who wanted to push environmental issues onto the national agenda. This idea, along with the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, set a precedent for taking care of the planet on which we live. Today, Earth Day is observed by nearly a billion people around the world.

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1. Over 400 national parks are celebrating National Park Week (April 19-27), which includes many activities for exploring landscape and wildlife.

2. The Los Angeles Zoo will observe Earth Day as part of the Party for the Planet celebrations (April 26-27). This year’s theme is "Celebrating California Wildlife," and there will also be interactive, educational exhibits.

3. On April 26, there will be a full day of events at Santa Monica. Morning events include a beach clean-up and a sandcastle contest. The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium will also offer scavenger hunts, crafts stations and a film screening.

4. A combined celebration of Children’s Day and Earth Day will be at Recreation Park in Long Beach on April 28. Guests can expect activities, food and entertainment.

5. World Fest, the city’s largest Earth Day celebration, will be in Woodley Park on May 18. The event is solar-powered and will feature environmental exhibits, educational workshops, kids’ activities and live entertainment.

Even if you can't make it to any Earth Day events, you can still be environmentally friendly by taking action with these tips from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Reach Staff Reporter Angela Shen here.