With a global population surpassing 8 billion, an autumn occasion serves as a poignant reminder for everyone to nurture their shared habitat.
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Established in 1970, Earth Day falls on 22 April. It was initially conceived by American advocates seeking to highlight the escalating environmental deterioration nationwide. Over time, this observance has gained traction internationally, with more than 190 nations officially recognising Earth Day on their annual calendars.
This commemoration serves dual purposes: acknowledging the difficult tasks ahead while also celebrating advancements achieved in combating climate change. Notably, it has spurred significant actions such as the inception of global climate agreements and the establishment of environmental agencies.
This year’s thematic focus revolves around ‘Planet vs. Plastics,’ urging governmental bodies, corporations, and individuals alike to slash plastic production by 60% before 2040. Furthermore, it advocates for the complete eradication of single-use plastics by the decade’s end.
Kathleen Rogers, president of Earth Day, said, ‘The word environment means what surrounds you. In the case of plastics we have become the product itself; it flows through our blood stream, adheres to our internal organs, and carries with it heavy metals known to cause cancer and disease.’
‘The Plant vs. Plastics campaign is a call to arms, a demand that we act now to end the scourge of plastics and safeguard the health of every living being upon our planet.’
Here are 10 intriguing facts about Earth Day
Earth Day has seen the planting of tens of millions of trees.
Every year, approximately 18 million acres of forest are lost due to deforestation, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation. In response to this pressing issue, earthday.org launched the Canopy Project in 2010. Since its inception, the project claims to have planted tens of millions of trees globally.
The idea for Earth Day was proposed by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson
Democratic Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin became deeply troubled by the environmental conditions in the United States during the 1960s. Following a significant oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, in January 1969, Nelson conceived the idea of initiating a large-scale, environmentally focused teach-in across college campuses nationwide. He drew inspiration from the anti-war movements against the Vietnam War, which were gaining momentum on campuses throughout the country. To realise his vision, Nelson enlisted the help of Denis Hayes, a young activist, to promote the concept to the public.
The United Automobile Workers union played a role in facilitating the inception of Earth Day
The former head of the United Automobile Workers (UAW) union, Walter Reuther, was one of the primary contributors to the inaugural Earth Day, offering a donation of $2,000 (R38 204.30) in 1970, which amounts to over $15,500 (R296 083.32) in today’s currency.
Denis Hayes, founder of Earth Day, said, ‘The UAW was by far the largest contributor to the first Earth Day, and its support went beyond the merely financial. It printed and mailed all our materials at its expense, even those critical of pollution-belching cars.
‘It’s organisers turned out workers in every city where it has a presence. And, of course, Walter then endorsed the Clear Air Act that the Big Four were doing their damnedest to kill or gut.’
The inaugural Earth Day saw participation from over 20 million individuals
Millions of individuals took part in the initial Earth Day festivities on 22 April 1970. The occasion led to the closure of Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, with people engaging in demonstrations and participating in street clean-up efforts.
Earth Day falls on April 22 due to college schedules
The selection of April 22 for Earth Day was primarily influenced by the availability of college students Nelson and Hayes aimed to engage. This date, falling on a weekday between spring break and final exams, provided a window of opportunity for outdoor activities due to mild weather.
The establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency followed the inaugural Earth Day
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), responsible for regulating measures to safeguard the environment, was established on 2 December 1970, directly in response to the inaugural Earth Day. Congress initiated the formation of the agency after observing the significant engagement in Earth Day demonstrations nationwide, according to the EPA.
William D. Ruckelshaus, the EPA’s first administrator during the second Earth Day in 1971, said, ‘Last year some said there would never be another Earth Day. They saw concern for our environment as a fad, and claimed that the instant enthusiasm of an activist generation would soon flow elsewhere. I believe they were wrong.’
Earth Day expanded its reach globally in 1990
The inaugural Earth Day movement mobilised millions of participants and paved the way for the enactment of pivotal environmental legislation in the United States later in the same year. This legislation included the National Environmental Education Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and the Clean Air Act.
‘Earth Day 1970 achieved a rare political alignment, enlisting support from Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, urban dwellers and farmers, business and labour leaders,’ earthday.org history page said.
Indeed, Earth Day’s influence extends far beyond individual countries. The movement reached a global scale in 1990 when environmental leaders enlisted Hayes to orchestrate another significant campaign for the planet. This endeavor mobilised a staggering 200 million individuals across 141 countries, highlighting the widespread concern for environmental issues worldwide. South Africa added Earth Day to its calendar in 1990 and recognised it as ‘International Mother Earth Day.’
In the new millennium, the Earth Day movement shifted its focus to campaigning against global warming. As recently as 2020, over 1 billion people worldwide participated in Earth Day actions, underscoring the continued significance and broad appeal of the movement’s mission.
The Paris Agreement opened for signature on Earth Day
The Paris Agreement, hailed as the most significant international climate accord to date, was opened for signature on Earth Day in 2016. With over 190 signatories, the treaty commits nations to reducing carbon emissions and undertaking various measures to combat climate change.
The concept of Earth Day emerged in response to a series of environmental catastrophes
According to TIME, Hayes, one of the masterminds behind the inaugural Earth Day, said that the concept for the holiday stemmed from a series of events that spotlighted environmental concerns. These included the publication of Rachel Carson’s seminal book, ‘Silent Spring,’ in 1962, and the infamous Cuyahoga River fire in 1969. Hayes noted that although various groups in the U.S. were addressing different environmental issues—such as air pollution reduction and the impact of pesticides on farm workers—they had not previously collaborated in a concerted effort.
Organisers are aiming to host the largest Earth Day clean-up event in history in 2024
For this year’s Earth Day celebration, earthday.org is collaborating with Malaysian organisations to organise the largest cleanup event in Earth Day history. Penang Island, the country’s primary island, has been heavily affected by plastic pollution stemming from tourism. Organisers anticipate the participation of at least 100 000 volunteers who will engage in beach and forest cleanups across the country. Additionally, they plan to plant over 1 million trees as part of the initiative.
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