2. Earth Day is an annual event, celebrated on April 22, on
which day events worldwide are held to demonstrate
support for environmental protection. It was first
celebrated in 1970, and is now coordinated globally by
the Earth Day Network, and celebrated in more than 193
countries each year.
What is ‘Earth Day’ ?
3. The main purpose of Earth Day is to unite people of
many different cultures for a single purpose care for the
earth. The purpose is to make all participants of this day
Earth trustees and eliminate the problems of pollution,
war, poverty, injustice, and conflicts.
Why Earth Day…..?
4. The first Earth Day was in 1970. Nelson, after seeing the damage done by a 1969
massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, was inspired to organize a national
"teach-in" that focused on educating the public about the environment.
Nelson recruited Denis Hayes as national coordinator, and persuaded U.S. Rep. Pete
McCloskey of California to be co-chairman. they rallied 20 million people across the
United States on April 20, 1970. Universities held protests, and people gathered in
public areas to talk about the environment and find ways to defend the planet.
In 1995, President Bill Clinton awarded Nelson the Presidential Medal of Freedom for
being the founder of Earth Day. This is the highest honor given to civilians in the
United States.
Origin of Earth Day
5. We only have one earth, so we need to take care of her. That's what
Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin believed. He was disturbed that an
issue as important as our environment was not addressed in politics or by
the media, so he created the first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970. An estimated
20 million people nationwide attended festivities that day. It was a truly
astonishing grassroots explosion, leading eventually to national legislation
such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act.
First Earth Day..
6. Although Earth Day has become mainstream, surveys show that environmentalism may be
stumbling. According to recent Gallup polls, 42 percent of Americans believe that the dangers of
climate change are exaggerated, and less than half say that protection of the environment
should be given priority over energy production.But Earth Day is still important because it
reminds people to think about humanity's values, the threats the planet faces and ways to help
protect the environment"Thinking about the history of environmental activism and the way
individuals have worked together to change policy can make us more optimistic about the ability
to make positive changes in the future," Clayton said.
Mia Yamaguchi, outreach coordinator at the CoolClimate Network at the University of California,
Berkeley's Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory, agreed. "There are many, many
things that any one person can do to manage their own environmental impacts, which I think
makes it really different from worries like the national debt or U.S. foreign policy," Yamaguchi
told Live Science in 2011. In those cases, "I can probably write a letter to a politician, maybe
donate to a cause," she said. "But if I actually start looking at what it would take to improve my
vehicle's fuel efficiency by 5 miles per gallon, that makes a big difference."The CoolClimate
Network has a variety of online widgets for people interested in calculating their own energy
footprint.
Its Imapct
7. The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970.
Earth Day originated in the US but became recognized worldwide by 1990.
On Earth Day 2009, Disney released a documentary film called Earth that followed the migration paths of
four animal families.
On the very first Earth Day, 20 million people gathered in the streets of America to protest the industrial
revolution. An environmental movement was born as a result.
Every year on April 22, men, women, and children collect garbage, plant trees, clean up coral reefs, show
movies, sign petitions, and plan for a better future for our planet.
Recycle old or worn-out clothes to help our planet.
Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day while he was working as a US senator.
Earth Day was renamed officially by the UN in 2009 as International Mother Earth Day.
Some schools and communities celebrate Earth Day for a whole week to expand the time frame that people
focus on the earth and how they can preserve it.
On Earth Day 2012, more than 100,000 people rode bikes in China to reduce CO2 emissions and save fuel.
In an Earth Day celebration in 2011, 28 million trees were planted in Afghanistan by the Earth Day Network.
In Panama, 100 endangered species of orchids were planted and maintained to prevent their extinction in
honor of Earth Day.
Earth Day Facts
8. Over the next five years, as Earth Day moves closer to its
50th anniversary, The Earth iscalling on you to help us
achieve one of our most ambitious goals yet —planting 7.8
billion trees and starting now.
Trees will be the first of five major goals in honor of the five-
year countdown to our 50th anniversary. On their own and
together, these initiatives will make a significant and
measurable impact on the Earth and will serve as the
foundation of a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable
planet for all.
Earth Day
9. Trees help combat climate change.
They absorb excess and harmful CO2 from our atmosphere. In fact, in a
single year, an acre of mature trees absorbs the same amount of CO2
produced by driving the average car 26,000 miles.
Trees help us breathe clean air.
Trees absorb odors and pollutant gases (nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulfur
dioxide and ozone) and filter particulates out of the air by trapping them on
their leaves and bark.
Trees help communities.
Trees help communities achieve long-term economic and environmental
sustainability and provide food, energy and income.
Plant a tree. Make a donation. Activate your friends and social networks.
Why Trees ..?
10. • The theme of World Earth Day 2015 was “Water Wonderful World”
and “Clean Earth – Green Earth”.
• The theme of World Earth Day 2014 was “Green Cities”.
• The theme of World Earth Day 2013 was “The Face of Climate
Change”.
• The theme of World Earth Day 2012 was “Mobilize the Earth”.
• The theme of World Earth Day 2011 was “Clear the Air”.
• The theme of World Earth Day 2010 was “Reduce”.
• The theme of World Earth Day 2009 was “How Do You Get Around”.
• The theme of World Earth Day 2008 was “Trees Please”.
• The theme of World Earth Day 2007 was “Be kind to the earth –
starting from saving resources
The Earth Day Theme Cycle
11. Learn more about environment.
Join an environmental group.
Spread the word.
Go to an Earth Day fair.
Enjoy Earth Day entertainment.
Plant trees
Remember that every day is Earth Day.
How to celebrate this Earth Day