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Earth Day is an annual activity which is celebrated on 22nd April worldwide. This day is celebrated to make people aware of the environmental degradation and the steps to be taken towards environmental protection. Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970. With 49 years of its inception, and is now celebrated in more than 193 countries, coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network.The landmark Paris Agreement was signed by the US, China, and other 120 countries on Earth Day. A day to honour the Earth and make peace was first celebrated on 21st March 1970. But, after a month a separate Earth Day was founded by the US Senator Gaylord Nelson on 22nd April 1970. This earth day was focused on the US but Denis Hayes, national coordinator of an organisation took it international in 1990. Hence, the conception of Earth Day!
Earth Day is a synonym to the preservation of the environment and has its dedicated theme every year. Earth Day 2022 theme focuses on a green economy: “Invest In Our Planet”. In keeping with the theme, Earth Day 2022 will center on “accelerating solutions to combat our greatest threat, climate change, and to activate everyone — governments, citizens, and businesses — to do their part” and encourage Earth Day observers to “recognise our collective responsibility and to help accelerate the transition to an equitable, prosperous green economy for all”.
It is said that an oil spill on the coast of California on 28th January 1969 that killed thousands of marine animals prompted the then-senator, Gaylord Nelson to decide on the environmental problems. He set in a forum to discuss the environmental issues and the human impacts on it. The meeting was attended by 20 million people. In 1992, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development was held in Rio de Janeiro. 178 countries embraced the agenda on Environment and Development for the sustainable management of forests. The year 2008 was declared as ‘The International Year of Planet Earth’ in 2005. As several countries were celebrating world earth day on 22nd April, Bolivia introduced a resolution to celebrate 22nd April as the “International Mother Earth Day.” The inaugural function of world earth day was celebrated in 2010. Since then, it continues to be observed annually across the globe.
The Covid19 pandemic is still looming large. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure safety first. Still, here are some exciting ways you could celebrate Earth Day 2022;
Read Poems: Make a habit to read poems related to earth day. Through this, we will learn the importance of our mother earth.
Take Virtual Tour to Forest and Aquarium: Spend some time with nature without leaving your house. There are multiple platforms online that allow you to take a virtual tour of forests or aquariums.
Save Energy: The way we generate energy has a big impact on our planet. Therefore, this Earth Day, adopt energy-saving measures and help protect the planet.
Pledge to Limit the Use of Plastic: The ill-effects of plastics are too many. Therefore, celebrate Earth Day by limiting the use of plastics.
FAQs
Q1: Who is called the father of the Earth Day?
A: In spring 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day as a way to force this issue onto the national agenda. Twenty million Americans demonstrated in different U.S. cities, and it turned into a global initiative.
Q2: In what country was Earth Day first celebrated?
A: Earth Day was first celebrated in the United States on April 22, 1970, as an event to increase public awareness of the world’s environmental problems.
Q3: How many countries participate in Earth Day?
A: A total of 193 countries participate in Earth Day ever year.
Q4: What is the difference between Earth Day and Environment Day?
A: The major difference between ‘earth day’ and ‘environment day’ is that Earth Day aims to help protect the environment. Environment Day is the United Nations’ most important platform for raising awareness and involvement for environmental regulations.
Earth Day is celebrated to promote awareness for the depleting environment. We should celebrate every day as earth day but, celebrating once can also make a huge difference. With an increase in pollution, deforestation, illegal poaching, we should take small steps to mend them. One baby step can be counted as the leaping one. Plant a tree, take a bicycle or bus to work, remember one bus can remove 50 vehicles from the road, hence, reducing the pollution and traffic.