Every year on April 22, people around the world celebrate Earth Day. It’s a day dedicated to raising awareness about environmental issues and promoting action to protect the planet. But why do we celebrate Earth Day on April 22? The first Earth Day was celebrated in the United States in 1970, marking the beginning of the answer.
The History Behind Why Do We Celebrate Earth Day on April 22?
In the late 1960s, concerns about pollution and the environment were growing in the United States. Came in Senator Gaylord Nelson. A Wisconsin Democrat, he was inspired by the anti-war protests of the time and wanted to harness that energy to raise awareness about environmental issues. Thus on April 22, 1970, he organized the first Earth Day. It undoubtedly brought together millions of Americans in support of environmental protection.
Ever since, Earth Day has become an annual event celebrated by people all over the world. Moreover it is a day to celebrate the beauty and diversity of our planet and to take action to protect it.
Why Do We Celebrate Earth Day on April 22? The Reasons Behind Earth Day.
Now that you know earth day is when, let’s talk about some of the reasons why we celebrate the day.
Pollution and Waste Reduction
One of the biggest environmental issues we face today is pollution. No doubts about it. Polluted air, water, and soil can have a devastating impact on the health of people, animals, and plants alike. Earth Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of reducing pollution and taking steps to protect the environment.
Did you know that Americans throw away about 25% more trash during the holiday season than any other time of year? That’s just one example of how things can change by practicing sustainability and recycling and therefore we celebrate earth day to remind ourselves of our responsibilities to keeping our planet clean.
Wildlife and Habitat Preservation
Another important issue that Earth Day focuses on is the preservation of wildlife and their homes aka habitats. The special day also provides an opportunity to raise awareness and promote conservation efforts for animals threatened by habitat loss and climate change.
Earth’s eco system works in amazing ways however human intervention is creating troubles. One example is of monarch butterflies. They migrate from Mexico to Canada taking a huge journey of more than 2,000 miles. Habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change has started to threaten this incredible migration. And this is just one unfortunate story of many.
Global Warming and Climate Change
Without a doubt, global warming and climate change are among the most pressing environmental issues facing our planet today. Thus Earth Day provides an opportunity to educate people about the causes and effects of climate change. It also reminds us to promote sustainable practices that can help control global warming for a better future of our shared planet.
The most apparent proof of damage caused by global warming can be seen in the weather patterns. There is a reason why 17 of the 18 warmest years on record have occurred since 2001. This is an undeniable evidence of the ongoing impact of global warming and the urgent need for action.
Sustainability and Water Conservation
Sustainability and water conservation are also important issues that Earth Day highlights. By promoting sustainable practices such as reducing plastic use, conserving water, and using renewable energy sources, we can help protect the environment and reduce our impact on the planet.
For instance, one fun Earth Day activity is to create a rain barrel to collect and reuse rainwater for watering plants and gardens. Evidently, this helps conserve water and reduce runoff, which can be harmful to local waterways.
Why do we celebrate earth day on April 22 at School? How can we do celebrate at home?
Many different ways exist to celebrate Earth Day at home and at school. Likewise, some Earth Day activities for students include creating art using recycled materials, participating in a community clean-up, or planting trees and gardens.
Consequently, at home, families can celebrate Earth Day by taking steps to reduce their impact on the environment. This can include things like reducing energy use, conserving water, and recycling.
Here are some fun and easy ways to celebrate Earth Day at home and school:
Earth Day Activities at Home:
- Plant a garden – Planting a garden is a great way to connect with nature and grow your own food. It also helps to reduce carbon emissions by eliminating the need to transport produce long distances.
- Reduce waste – You can reduce waste by recycling, composting, and reusing materials around your home. It’s a great way to help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
- Take a nature walk – Go for a walk and explore the nature around your home. Take time to appreciate the beauty of the world and its intricate ecosystems.
- Watch documentaries – Watch documentaries or movies about environmental issues and learn about the planet’s pressing issues. It’s a great way to educate yourself and your family on important topics.
Earth Day Activities for Schools:
- Community clean-up – Organize a community clean-up in your school or local park. It’s a great way to get involved in your community and improve the environment.
- Earth Day activities for students – Plan educational activities for your students such as creating posters, presentations or art to raise awareness about environmental issues.
- Plant a garden – Create a school garden that can be used to teach students about the importance of sustainability, gardening, and healthy eating.
- Reduce waste – Encourage students to reduce waste by recycling, composting, and using reusable water bottles and lunch boxes.
- Virtual Earth Day events – Participate in virtual Earth Day events organized by environmental organizations to learn more about the planet’s pressing issues.
Do check out these drawing ideas to take inspiration and celebrate earth day with kids at your home and school. Undoubtedly celebrating Earth Day can be a fun and educational experience for individuals of all ages. Therefore, by taking simple steps to reduce waste and appreciate nature, we can make a difference and help protect the planet for generations to come.
Also, when we won’t care for our planet, the planet will complain. The animals, plants and everyone else affected may just start talking. What happens then? Check out our extraordinary Earth Day Book This Earth Day – The Earth Protests to see what happens when the planet speaks up.
Earth Day Theme 2024: Invest in Our Planet
The theme for Earth Day 2024 is “Planet vs. Plastics” as announced by earthday.org. The theme emphasizes on curtailing plastic pollution to make earth cleaner.
As per United Nations, the most common plastic waste damaging our planet includes food wrappers, plastic bottles, shopping bags, straws etc. All these and more of the single use plastic are harming our planet greatly. Thus the goal of this Earth Day is to reduce all plastic production to 40% by 2040. It could be a promising 60% decrease which if becomes a reality can significantly improve our planetary health.
What do we take out of this?
Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 every year to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote action to protect the planet. It provides an opportunity to educate people about the pressing environmental issues we face such as pollution, habitat loss, climate change, and sustainability.
Earth Day can be celebrated at home and school, showing our love for the planet. Small steps like reducing energy use, conserving water, and recycling help reduce our impact on the environment. Students can participate in activities such as creating art with recycled materials, cleaning up communities, or planting trees. Together, we can make a difference and create a sustainable future.
For this year, the theme is “Planet vs. Plastics” emphasizing on plastic waste. It would be a different theme the next year and another one year after. The point of earth day is to make our planet healthier and better for all, humans, animals and plants alike. It is a day to celebrate the beauty and diversity of our planet and to take action to preserve it.
