Every April 22nd, people around the world celebrate Earth Day, a reminder of how important it is to take care of our planet. It all started back in 1970 when some folks in the U.S. got worried about how badly the environment was being treated.
Contents
About the Earth Day
They wanted to raise awareness about the pollution and damage happening across the country.
Now, Earth Day isn’t just an American thing. It’s gone global! More than 190 countries celebrate it, showing just how much people care about our planet. It’s not just a day to talk about problems; it’s also a time to celebrate the good things we’ve done for the environment.
This year, Earth Day has a special theme called Planet vs. Plastics. The goal is to cut down on how much plastic we use. The campaign wants to reduce plastic production by 60% before 2040 and get rid of single-use plastics by the end of this decade. It’s a big challenge, but it’s vital for our health and the planet’s well-being.
The President of earthday.org, Kathleen Rogers, says that plastics are a big problem. They’re everywhere, even inside our bodies, carrying harmful stuff that can make us sick. That’s why the Planet vs. Plastics campaign is calling for action now to save our planet and keep everyone healthy.
Read Also:Â Arkansas Academic Lottery | Apply Now!
Here are some fun facts about Earth Day:
- Earth Day was the brainchild of a senator named Gaylord Nelson. He was really concerned about the environment and wanted to get people talking about it.
- The idea for Earth Day came after a series of bad environmental events, like oil spills and polluted rivers. People realized they needed to do something about it.
- The first Earth Day in 1970 was a huge success, with over 20 million people taking part in activities across the country. It showed that people cared about the environment and wanted to make a difference.
- Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd because it’s a good time for college students to join in. The weather’s nice, and it’s right between spring break and exams.
- After the first Earth Day, the government created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help protect the environment. It’s been working hard ever since to keep our air and water clean.
- Earth Day went global in 1990, with millions of people joining in from different countries. It led to new environmental laws and agreements to protect our planet.
- The Paris Agreement, a major climate change deal, was opened for signatures on Earth Day in 2016. It’s one of the most important agreements to fight global warming.
- The United Automobile Workers (UAW) union played a big role in supporting the first Earth Day. They donated money and helped spread the word about protecting the environment.
- In 2024, organizers are planning the biggest Earth Day cleanup ever, with thousands of volunteers cleaning up beaches and forests around the world.
- Earth Day is also about planting trees. Since 2010, millions of trees have been planted through the Canopy Project to help save our forests.
So, Earth Day isn’t just a day to think about the environment; it’s a day to take action and make our planet a better place for everyone.
Earth Day: Resources
- Earth Day on Earthday.org
