Earth Day has been celebrated since the last 50 years by billions of people around the globe, annually every 22nd April, to join together in promoting awareness for the health of our environment.
Why the continuous celebration of this day?
Some people may view it as just another holiday, or an excuse to wear green and a flower crown; similar to St. Patrick’s Day, but with serious concerns about our changing environment being studied and addressed today by prominent politicians, scientists, and young climate change activists alike, some people are adapting to more environmentally friendly ways of living — every day, not just on April 22 every year. Cue the recycling, composting, repurposing, carpooling, thrifting, and metal straws to save the turtles.
HISTORY OF EARTH DAY
In 1969, the idea for Earth Day was originally born, when a US Senator named Gaylord Nelson, witnessed the effects of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, CA. He called to action all Americans to take a stand for the environment in 1970, and thousands of colleges and universities across the United States organized protests for a healthy, sustainable Earth.
This included loss of habitats for animals, animal extinction, air pollution from factories and freeways. Because of these national rallies, the first Earth Day helped create the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species acts into law.
Today in our world, we have similar concerns, and unfortunately they are even messier than that original oil spill. Increasing natural disasters, extreme weather, and rising global temperatures may seem impossible for one human, let alone millions or even billions of humans, to slow down, or stop. It has been reported that coral reefs are dying, we see pictures of animals on land and in the ocean with trash in their bellies or around their body, and corporate factories and large companies around the world continue to pollute our air and our living spaces. But a small action, like picking up litter on the sidewalk that may have otherwise ended up around the neck of an animal or in the ocean, still makes an impact — a step in the right direction, and an important change.
Happy Earth Day
