Earth Day 2024: Date, Theme, History, 10 Facts, and How to Take Action!

In a bid to highlight the importance of protecting the environment, Earth Day is celebrated on April 22. The occasion speaks about the people who work tirelessly with the aim to protect the environment for future generations. The day signifies the importance of safeguarding our mother nature and also promotes the steps to conserve the environment. It acts as a centre stage to promote environmental activism. Though the celebration of Earth Day started in the United States, today over 150 countries take part in the celebration.

Earth Day 2024 Date

Earth Day will be celebrated across the globe on Monday, April 22, 2024.

Earth Day 2024 Theme

This year, the theme of Earth Day 2024 is ‘Planet vs. Plastics.’ With this theme, the organisation aims to reduce plastic dependency and make the earth plastic-free.

Earth Day History

The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970. A U.S. senator named Gaylord Nelson took the step of environmental activism and founded this day with the purpose of uniting people with a common goal. Nelson organised the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, with the help of a graduate student from Harvard University named Denis Hayes.

The event was aimed at educating people about environmental issues and ways to conserve. The event strengthened the call for environmental activism, which led to the introduction of two laws named the Clean Air Act and the Endangered Species Act.

In 1990, Hayes organised the first global Earth Day with over 200 million people from more than 140 countries.

Earth Day Significance

Earth Day symbolises the need to protect our mother nature. The day encourages every individual to think about environmental conservation and act accordingly. It speaks about the need to reduce carbon footprints, conserve natural resources, and protect wildlife and natural habitats.

The day also serves as a platform to advocate for policy changes that can have a positive impact on the environment.

10 Facts about Earth Day

1. Earth Day was inspired by Vietnam War protesters Gaylord Nelson, who noticed that everyone was protesting against the war and not talking about the environmental impact of the war, so he decided to start speaking about environmental issues.
2. The date was chosen to appeal to college students, as they are the future generations who are set to face the consequences.
3. In 2009, the United Nations named Earth Day ‘International Mother Earth Day.’
4. In 2011, 28 million trees were planted in Afghanistan to promote the “Plant Trees Not Bombs” campaign on the occasion of Earth Day.
5. Denis Hayes organised the first global Earth Day in 1990, in which 200 million people across 141 different countries took part.
6. The Earth Day flag was designed by peace activist John McConnell in 1970.
7. At the present time, Earth Day is celebrated across 190 countries.
8. The theme song for Earth Day, named ‘Earth Anthem’, was written by poet-diplomat Abhay Kumar.
9. In 2016, France decided to stop food waste. The country banned supermarkets from throwing away unsold food.
10. In 2020, 20 million people across several countries joined the live event virtually as the world was fighting the coronavirus.

How To Celebrate Earth Day

Earth Day is celebrated differently in different corners of the world. Here are some common practices:

1. Cleaning plastic wastesAs this year’s theme advocates reducing plastic dependence, cleaning plastic wastes will surely be an impactful initiative.
2. Tree plantationWith the increase in population every day, deforestation remains a major issue. Planting trees will turn out to be helpful for the environment and a perfect event to celebrate Earth Day.
3. Organising environmental workshopsEducating people about environmental issues and discussing ways to address the issues can combat the negative impact.
4. Organising ralliesOrganising rallies with the aim of spreading awareness about our roles in environmental conservation is much-needed today.
5. Water conservation eventCases of water scarcity from various parts of the world have become quite prevalent. Every individual today needs to conserve water for a better future.