Earth Day has been celebrated by billions of people around the globe, annually for the past 50 years. Every April 22, it is celebrated to join together in promoting awareness for the health of our environment. Some people may view it as an excuse to wear green and a flower crown, similar to St. Patrick’s Day or just another holiday, but with serious concerns about our changing environment being studied and addressed today by renowned scientists, politicians, and young climate change activists alike, some people are adjusting to more environmentally friendly habits of living every day, not just on April 22 every year. Such as recycling, composting, repurposing, thrifting, carpooling and using metal straws to save the turtles.
Calculate 90 days from today here
History
Earth Day idea was originally born in 1969, when a United States Senator named Gaylord Nelson, saw the effects of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, CA. In 1970, he called to action for all Americans to take a stand for the environment Thousands of universities and colleges across the US organized protests for a sustainable, healthy Earth. This involved air pollution from freeways and factories, the loss of habitats for animals, and animal extinction. Because of these national rallies, the first Earth Day helped establish the US Environmental Protection Agency and define the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Act into law.
We have similar concerns today. Unfortunately, they are even more chaotic than that initial oil spill. Rising global temperatures, increasing natural disasters, and extreme weather, may appear impossible for one human, not to mention millions or even billions of humans, to hamper, or stop. We see pictures of animals on land and in the ocean with trash in their stomachs or around their body, it has been reported that coral reefs are dying, despite all of these, large companies and corporate factories around the world continue to pollute our air and our living areas. Though a small action, such as picking up garbage on the sidewalk that may have otherwise ended up around an animal’s neck or in the ocean, still makes an influence, a step on the right track, and an essential change.
Timeline of Earth Day
1970 (The First-Ever Earth Day) – Twenty million Americans protested in the streets for more environmental protections.
1990 (Earth Day became Globally Popular) – Two hundred million people are now organizing and united, fighting for climate protection throughout 141 countries.
2018 (School Strikes for Climate Change) – Young people began to strike for climate change, led by Greta Thunberg in Sweden, with around 2,200 strikes managed in 125 countries from 2018 – to 2019.
2019 (Green New Deal was presented) – A resolution named “Green New Deal” was presented to the US Congress for 100% renewable, zero-emission energy sources.
FAQs about Earth Day
1) What should I do for Earth Day?
If you are looking for an event to join, such as a group cleanup project, or climate strike rally, on Earth Day Networks’ website visit the global interactive map. There are multiple things to do to sustain our planet and many ways to get connected locally to your community on Earth Day.
2) Should I wear green on Earth Day?
Actually, the most essential thing is not what you wear on this day, but what you do. However, supporting the holiday through clothing is encouraged in order to promote awareness.
Activities on Earth Day
– Try to reduce your carbon footprint – Get creative with new ways to switch up part of your daily routine or your commute. Rather than driving to your destination, take public transportation, carpool with friends, skate, walk, ride a bike, or scooter. You may enjoy this new form of travel even more than sitting in traffic, of course, depending on the weather.
– Try to reuse, and recycle your clothes – Though it may seem unimportant in the grand scheme of things, your wardrobe and your shopping habits can really have a negative effect on our environment. By purchasing gently used or thrifted outfits online, new resources aren’t used to make more clothes that will ultimately end up being reused, repurposed, or in a dump. Online shopping is better for the environment, as some studies have shown because it takes about 30% fewer resources to vend items online.
– Try to switch up your diet – The majority of people may know that food production accounts for 1/4 to 1/3 of all greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, and much of the blame falls on the meat industry. The BBC recently reported that food-related emissions would decrease by about 60% by 2050 if the whole world became vegetarian and ate no red meat. Emissions would decrease by around 70% if the world went vegan instead.
If you would like to know what date will be 180 days from today, click here
Interesting Facts about Earth Day
1) Record high carbon dioxide – The carbon dioxide in our atmosphere has never been higher, in part potentially because of nature, and in part as a result of the advances, we as humans have made in industrialization throughout the globe, since the 1700s. This information is according to the National Geographic Society.
2) Less food waste means less greenhouse gas – The majority of people may not be aware of this, but the more food we do not consume and waste, the more greenhouse gasses are emitted.
3) Temperatures and weather are affected by climate change – As reported by the United States Global Change Research Program, in the United States, in the last 50 years the temperature has risen by 2 degrees and precipitation has risen by 5%. In the past 50 years, more extreme weather phenomena have been occurring – Extreme weather in 2019 broke over 120,000 records in the United States.
4) The greatest emitter of carbon dioxide – With its human population of 1.4 Billion, China is currently the greatest emitter of carbon dioxide, accounting for 30% of global carbon emissions. However, the United States, with a population of approximately 328 Million, comes in second place under China as a top emitter, at 15% of carbon emissions worldwide.
Why Do We Love Earth Day
Everyone can take part – The concept behind continuing to celebrate Earth Day, and why we love it, is because it is based on people working jointly to achieve a better future for everyone. Linking with people around the world is necessary to continue to value and respect people from various countries, and other differences in opinion. No one is left behind or left out, everyone can do something small to make a positive impact on our planet.
Small acts are crucial – It’s not necessary to plant a forest to enjoy Earth Day. Even if you feel like instead of buying a plastic bottle or a styrofoam coffee cup, reusing your metal water bottle doesn’t make much of a difference, your small acts can transform and improve the world we live in. Now that you have the understanding that climate change is affecting all of us, do your bit to make positive changes wherever you go, regardless of how small, they are important, and this is your opportunity to improve our world.
There is only one Earth – Earth Day is an actual reminder of how delicate our ecosystem can be, and how our activities can have positive or negative impacts on the world we live in. This holiday serves to ground us in what we require to do to safeguard our home, and what we can do currently, in light of all the harm we have already done to our world. Not all of us dare to go out in the street and protest, but we all require to be reminded to stay in the proper mindset, meaning, not to live in ignorance and do something positive for our earth.
