April 22 is Earth Day – an annual event to demonstrate support for environmental protection. The momentous event started in 1970 and, since then, has mobilized one billion individuals and gathered 150,000 partners worldwide. The website, EarthDay.Org, provides more details regarding the event.
“EarthDay.Org’s mission is to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide. Growing out of the first Earth Day in 1970, EarthDay.Org is the world’s largest recruiter to the environmental movement, working with more than 150,000 partners in over 192 countries to drive positive action for our planet.” – excerpt from the EarthDay.Org website.
“Every April 22nd, stakeholders of all backgrounds come together to advance sustainability and climate action in commemoration of Earth Day. Our world needs transformation. It’s time for the people of the world to hold governments and the private sector accountable for their role in our environmental crisis while also calling for bold, creative, and innovative solutions. This will require action at all levels, from business and investment to city and national government.”– another excerpt.
Background and History
As mentioned, the origin of Earth Day started in 1970, giving voice to an emerging public consciousness about the state of the planet. Here is an excerpt about its origins:
“Senator Gaylord Nelson, a junior senator from Wisconsin, had long been concerned about the deteriorating environment in the United States. Then in January 1969, he and many others witnessed the ravages of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Inspired by the student anti-war movement, Senator Nelson wanted to infuse the energy of student anti-war protests with an emerging public consciousness about air and water pollution. Senator Nelson announced the idea for a teach-in on college campuses to the national media, and persuaded Pete McCloskey, a conservation-minded Republican Congressman, to serve as his co-chair. They recruited Denis Hayes, a young activist, to organize the campus teach-ins and they choose April 22, a weekday falling between Spring Break and Final Exams, to maximize the greatest student participation.”
To date, Earth Day is recognized as the largest secular observance in the world.
Earth Day 2023
The Earth Day 2023 theme is focused on engaging the more than 1 billion people, governments, institutions, and businesses who participate in Earth Day to recognize collective responsibility and help accelerate the transition to an equitable, prosperous green economy for all.
“This year, we rally behind the theme “Invest In Our Planet”, which highlights the importance of dedicating our time, resources, and energy to solving climate change and other environmental issues. Investing in our planet is necessary to protect it and the best way to pave a path towards a prosperous future.” – EarthDay.Org
Ways to invest in our planet:
- I will push for climate literacy
- I will grow trees
- I will support sustainable fashion
- I will help end plastic pollution
- I will attend a cleanup
For further information, visit EarthDay.Org.
