Our planet faces a wide range of environmental challenges, like pollution, climate change, loss of biodiversity, and deforestation. Throughout the years, Earth Day has become more and more important. Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22nd when individuals, businesses, and communities come together to raise awareness for the protection and conservation of the environment.
Origin of Earth Day: When & Why Did It Start?
The first Earth Day was observed on April 22, 1970. Before this day, Americans used to consume a huge amount of harmful leaded gas by using inefficient and bulky automobiles for decades. Even industries used to discharge a massive amount of waste products and toxic fumes without the fear of any reputational or legal consequences. Back then, air pollution was considered a sign of progress and prosperity. All these environmental issues and their adverse impact on everyone’s health remained completely oblivious to the general public until the first Earth Day.
What paved the way for change is the book named Silent Spring by Rachel Carson in 1962. Being a bestseller, this book significantly raised public awareness about the impact of pollution on health as well as the environment. This inspired Senator Gaylord Nelson who was concerned about how the environment was deteriorating in the United States and announced an idea about teach-ins.
Originally, Earth Day began as teach-ins at the university and college campuses for educating people about how they can make some changes. The first campus teach-in was organized on April 22, 1970, by Denis Hayes, a student at Stanford University. This led to an enormous change in the United States. Groups or individuals who were fighting against pollution, toxic dumps, and oil spills came together on Earth Day.
What does Earth Day mean?
Earth Day is a yearly celebration of the planet Earth and its natural environment. On Earth Day, people honor the importance of sustainability and the practice of using natural resources responsibly. This day is also celebrated to raise awareness against all environmental issues and how we can save our planet for future generations to come.
Why is Earth Day important?
Even though some people are quite concerned about the environment and they take significant measures to make it better, this topic somehow gets lost in everyone’s busy day-to-day life. Observing or celebrating Earth Day every year is important to turn the attention of people, organizations, and companies to the reality behind the climate crisis and global warming.
On April 22, every year, people from different parts of the world come together to join hands to show support for sustainability and conservation of the natural environment. This day also serves as the biggest platform to advocate and educate children as well as adults on how to take action to make our environment better and how small actions can have a vast impact on protecting the planet.
Do all countries celebrate Earth Day?
While the origin of Earth Day was in the United States of America, Earth Day went global in 1990 including more than 200 million individuals from 141 countries all over the world. Now, about 190 countries observe Earth Day where they hold different events for promoting activities to use and conserve natural resources of the planet. Country around the world celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd. People from different backgrounds, cultures, and values come together to observe this day.
Does Earth Day matter?
Of course, celebrating or observing Earth Day matters a lot! It teaches us how small activities and changes can have an impact on the environment. Some of the steps that you can take to make your contribution towards Earth Day count are:
- Reduce Waste
Try to reduce waste. Think of different ways of recycling every product to reduce waste. Also, reduce the use of plastic in any form as they are non-biodegradable and can stick around for a long period.
- Plant Trees
According to a study, 15 billion trees (approximately) are cut down every year around the world. To balance this loss, plant at least one tree every year. Trees can help all of us by releasing oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide.
- Save Energy
Most of the electricity is generated by using fossil fuels, like natural gas, coal, and oil. These are non-renewable sources. Instead, use electricity from renewable sources like sun, wind, and water.
- Limit Water Usage
Though it may seem that clean and drinkable water is everywhere, it is very limited. Only 1% of the water on this planet can be used for drinking by humans. So, you need to save water by limiting usage.
Impact of Earth Day So Far
The impact of Earth Day has been quite significant since 1970. A large number of people enlisted their support from every corner of the country. Besides increasing public awareness regarding the importance of sustainability and conservation of natural resources, it has made several notable impacts. Some of the significant effects so far are:
- It led to the establishment of the United States Environmental Protection Agency influencing several changes in policies to protect the planet.
- Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act have been passed in the USA in response to the increasing concern regarding pollution.
- Millennium Development Goals to focus on biodiversity and climate change were agreed upon globally by 191 UN member states.
- Introduction of the Foodprints for the Future campaign to measure the impact of growing or producing and storing food on the environment.
- End Plastic Pollution campaign for controlling and reducing plastic use and plastic pollution was established.
- Fashion for the Earth campaign was initiated to encourage sustainable fashion and has revolutionized the fashion industry to a great extent.
- Launch of The Canopy Project for encouraging restoration and conservation of the natural environment.
- Planning The Great Global Cleanup every year to get rid of environmental waste and pollution for a waste-free world.
Impact now for future generations
To sum it up, though Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970, it is still celebrated every year on April 22. This is observed worldwide as a reminder for everyone that we have only one planet to live on and we need to take care of it. Earth Day has had a colossal impact on this planet to make it more carbon free, pollution-free, and sustainable. But we are still fighting to raise awareness among people and make this planet a better and healthier place for future generations.
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We want to hear from you. What programs have your business taken to reduce waste? Is your company starting any new sustainability initiatives this year on Earth Day?
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