The document discusses the history and significance of Earth Day, which is celebrated annually on April 22nd. It began in 1970 as an environmental teach-in in the US in response to increasing pollution and damage to the planet. Over 190 countries now participate in Earth Day activities like cleaning up public spaces, planting trees, and raising awareness of environmental issues. The 2020 theme is "climate action" to encourage addressing the climate crisis through reducing emissions and transitioning to renewable energy. People are celebrating Earth Day virtually this year due to the pandemic through online campaigns and education initiatives.

1. Day
22 April (Every Year)
‘A Day to Appreciate Mother Earth.’
- Samruddhi Misal
- Oracle Volunteers

2.  Hello! I am your Mother Earth.
 I welcome you all to my 50th anniversary celebration.
 But why, when and how to celebrate this day? Well! Lets
understand first…

3. Background- Why and How?
 Before we understand why we celebrate this day, let me first take you back to
the 1960s where this all began.
 During its war with Vietnam in 1960, United States was also having several
environmental disasters.
 Large industrial plants were pumping out harmful gases with no or little fear
of the consequences.
 But then came out Rachel Carson’s bestseller ‘Silent Spring’ in 1962
presenting a view of how nature was being compromised by synthetic
pesticides.
 And this…this worked as the seed in the soil for Environmental Revolution.

4. Background- History [1] (cont…)

5. Background- The Pillar Day (cont…)
 The “Father of Earth Day”- Senator Gaylord Nelson first spread the
environmental awareness with teach-in on April 22, 1970.
 April 22, 1970…yes that was the first day when you, humans, made the connection
with me, for me.
 In his Earth Day’s speech he stated- “The battle to restore a proper relationship
between man and his environment, between man and other living creatures, will
require a long, sustained, political, rural, ethical and financial commitment far
beyond any effort we ever made before in any enterprise in the history of man.”
So this was all about how this day came to be. But how
is it significant for you to celebrate each year? Lets
see…

6. Significance of Earth Day
 Several global issues like deforestation, climate changes, industrial-origin
chemicals, pollution of agricultural land, release of industrial waste in water
reservoir, loss of habitats, illegal poaching, wildlife trafficking have led to a
lot of adverse effects on the planet.
And I am sure you can not deny the role of human hands in these causes.
 This damage caused over decades is irreversible but can be controlled.
 This is the soul and significance that is featured in Earth Day celebrations
consistently on 22 April by the whole world.

7. Significance of Earth Day (cont…)
 Earth Day is devoted to increasing awareness about the Earth, the current
environment issues while simultaneously elevating new practices to resolve
those issues.
 It is also to bring awareness about the importance and techniques of
recycling, reducing the use of plastic and waste on lands and water resources.
I hope you know now why this day is so important! Now lets get you introduced to
this day and its events.

8. Introduction to the Day
 Earth Day is celebrated every year on 22nd April by more than one billion
people in 192 countries.
 It is coordinated by nonprofit Earth Day Network.
 People on this day plant trees, collect garbage, clean up coral reefs, organize
awareness campaigns, sign petitions, collect and recycle plastic waste.
“Twenty-five years ago, people could be excused for not knowing much, or doing
much, about climate change. Today we have no excuse.” — Desmond Tutu

9. Introduction- Earth Day Themes (cont…)
Year Theme
2010 Reduce
2011 Clear the Air
2012 Mobilize the Earth
2013 The Face of Climate Change
2014 Green Cities
2015 Water Wonderful World and
Clean Earth – Green Earth
2016 Trees for the Earth!
2017 Environmental and Climate Literacy
2018 End Plastic Pollution
2019 Protect Our Species
2020 Climate action
*Last 10 year themes

10. Introduction- 2020 Theme: ‘Climate Action’ (cont…)
 Over years the burning of fossil fuels like oil, coal and other human activities has
increased the levels of carbon-dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4) and
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
 These increased levels of harmful gases has resulted in severe effects on me (earth)
including-
 Rising temperatures
 Rising sea levels
 Increasing ocean temperatures
 Lessening of glaciers
 Health risks due to growing air temperatures and heatwaves

11. Introduction- 2020 Theme: ‘Climate Action’ (cont…)
The Paris Agreement 2015- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCC)
 On December 12, 2015, 197 parties signed in to the agreement to fight the climate
change and to increase the actions needed for a sustainable low carbon future.
 Objective of the treaty: [1]
a) Holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-
industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above
pre-industrial levels
b) Increasing the ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and foster
climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development, in a manner that
does not threaten food production; and
c) Making finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions
and climate-resilient development.

12. How does this theme relate to current scenario?
 A useful yearly reminder for the people to address and consider the impacts of
their activities on the environment.
 Each generation gets the opportunity to understand, address and invest effectively
to the environmental issues.
 This day does bring people in the community together who are eager to do
something, even if it’s just picking up the trash or planting trees in the in the
neighborhood.

13. How does this theme relate to current scenario? (cont…)
“Mother Earth urges for a call to action on Climate Emergency ”
 With the unbalanced climate due to green house effect and global warming it has
become more of a duty then just a responsibility to take conserve mother earth.
 Ice is melting, glaciers are shrinking! More reasons to save me (earth) and thus
save you (human).
 Theme 2020 is more like: ‘Digital Fight Against Global Warming’ and ‘Stay home,
come close to nature’.
Global climate imbalance is the biggest growing issue today and needs attention. I,
Mother Earth request your attention before it gets to late!

14. Celebrations across the world
 Awareness Campaigns
 Tree Plantation
 Garbage Collection
 Recycling
 Earth Day Parades
 Earth expos by environmental organizations
 Marathons for awareness and fund raising
 Fund raising parties
 Garden workshops
 Workshops on going waste-free
 Talk Shows on environment

15. Celebrations across the world
 #Trees4Earth campaign- India
 Bike demos, movement classes, musical performances – Texas, US
 Stalls selling global cuisine and handmade goods- Tokyo, Japan
 Music and dance performances, organic cooking demos and an
eco-carnival for kids- San Francisco, US
 Farmers' market and artisan vendors- Barcelona, Spain
 Earth Day Parade- Vancouver, Canada
 “green sale” – an organic food sale to raise money and help plant
trees on the school grounds- Switzerland
 Recycling games and environmental arts and crafts- Switzerland

16. Celebrations across the world
 Earth Murals: Paintings on school walls to spread messages- India
 Earth reel: Film Making Competitions- India
 Environment Projects
 Awareness and campaign websites

17. Online Sources
 https://www.earthday.org/
 Earth Day network aims at taking initiative to building the largest environmental
movement to drive revolutionary change for people and planet.
 Its mission is to educate and motivate the world about the environment
movement.
 It is working with more than 190 countries to drive this mission.

18. Online Sources
 https://unfccc.int/
 UNFCCC is a group of 193 parties that are committed to actions for safe
environment.
 Events at UNFCCC are guided by the highest ethical and professional standards,
and all participants are expected to behave with integrity and respect towards all
participants attending or involved with any UNFCCC event. [3]
 Its objective is to make sure that the greenhouse gas concentrations in the
atmosphere are stabilized.

19. Online Sources
 https://www.wwf.org.uk/fight-climate-change
 WWF is a worldwide organization that thrives to create a world where the humans
and wildlife can live together in harmony.
 It works with the government to create and promote policies for environment
safety.
 Their work involves various areas such as efficient use of energy, waste reduction
and management, water recycling, end the use of single-use plastic.

20. Earth Day 2020: A Virtual Celebration
While we are forced to keep our distance and stay home due to coronavirus, it can
force us to keep our voices down.
 Plant trees in the neighborhood (but don’t forget to put on your mask)
 Yes to cloth bags! No to Plastics, please!
 Switch of the lights when no more required.
 Don’t let those faucets leak!
 Use social media to spread awareness (Beware of the rumors)
 Use video calling apps for campaigns and to spread awareness
 Make a birdhouse, provide them food and water.

21. Earth Day 2020: A Virtual Celebration
 Dispose the trash properly.
 Best out of waste!
 Organize Virtual teach-ins
 Online quiz and knowledge sharing.
 Awareness sessions through online education in schools and colleges

22. Conclusion
I hope you know all about this day and how is it
important for me as well as you!
So let’s Celebrate this Earth Day Every Day!

23. References
[1] https://www.almanac.com/content/earth-day-date-activities-history
[2] https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/english_paris_agreement.pdf
[3] https://unfccc.int/about-us/code-of-conduct-for-unfccc-conferences-meetings-
and-events
Earth Day Anthem- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m089DbGR-kE

24. Contact
iNaturewatch Foundation
Kharghar, Navi Mumbai
www.inaturewatch.org
info@inaturewatch.org
+91 9987013144
Thank You !
This presentation is
developed under corporate
employee volunteering
initiative by iNaturewatch
Foundation
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contact us