The day highlights the importance of protecting Mother Nature and encourages steps to preserve the environment. The date acts as a center stage to promote environmental activism.
Today, over 150 countries celebrate Earth Day.
Date for Earth Day 2024
Earth Day is celebrated around the world on April 22, 2024.
Earth Day 2024 theme
This year’s theme for Earth Day is “The Planet Against Plastic”. With such a theme, the world is trying to reduce the dependence on plastic and make the earth clean.
The story of Earth Day
The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 in the United States, when Senator Gaylord Nelson took part in nature activities and brought people together who have a common goal. Nelson organized the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, with the help of Harvard graduate student Dennis Hayes.
The event is aimed at educating people about environmental issues and ways to protect it. The goal is to increase nature activities, which led to the introduction of two laws in the US called the Clean Air Act and the Endangered Species Act.
In 1990, Hayes organized the first global Earth Day with over 200 million people from 140 countries.
The meaning of Earth Day
Earth Day symbolizes the need to protect Mother Nature. The day aims to challenge each person to think about their consequences and act wisely. It highlights the importance of reducing carbon emissions, conserving natural resources and protecting wildlife and natural habitats.
The day also serves as a platform for policy changes that can have a positive impact on the environment.
10 facts about Earth Day you might not know
1. Earth Day was inspired by Vietnam War protester Gaylord Nelson, who noted that everyone was protesting the war, but no one was talking about the global consequences on nature. So he decided to talk about environmental issues.
2. The date was chosen to coincide with the spring break of the students in the US because they are the future generations who have to face the consequences.
3. In 2009, the United Nations renamed Earth Day “International Mother Earth Day.”
4. In 2011, 28 million trees were planted in Afghanistan to promote the “Plant Trees, Not Bombs” campaign.
5. Dennis Hayes organized the first global Earth Day in 1990 with over 200 million people from 140 countries.
6. The Earth Day flag was designed by activist John McConnell in 1970.
7. Nowadays, the holiday is celebrated by more than 150 countries.
8. The Earth Day theme song called “Earth Anthem” was written by poet-diplomat Abhay Kumar.
9. In 2016, France decided to limit food waste. The country banned supermarkets from throwing away unsold food.
10. In 2020, 22 million people from different countries joined the virtual observance of the holiday as the world grappled with the coronavirus.
How to celebrate Earth Day
Earth Day is celebrated differently around the world. However, here are a few similarities between the countries:
1. Cleaning up plastic waste
As this year’s theme is reducing plastic dependency, cleaning up plastic waste is sure to be an impactful initiative.
2. Planting trees
With the population increasing every day, deforestation remains a key issue. Planting trees will be good for the environment and will be the perfect event to celebrate today.
3. Organization of environmental workshops
Educating people about environmental problems and discussing ways to deal with the problems can combat the negative impact.
4. Organizing demonstrations
Organizing demonstrations to inform people about the importance of the environment is necessary these days.
5. Water conservation event
Cases of water shortages from various parts of the world have become quite common. Every person today must save water for a better future.
