That feeling, when you step outside into the glorious sunshine. The warmth slowly seeping into your bones, your soul. The relaxing scent of salt water hits your nostrils. And you find yourself smiling. That’s how the word “California” makes this Western Pennsylvanian feel. I’ve been to California a couple of times for work and I think I literally smile as soon as I step out of the airport. That sunshine might have healing powers!
Other than being known for sunshine and smiles, the coastal shores of Santa Barbara, California are also known for sparking the global phenomenon we know as Earth Day, although not necessarily in a good way.
The idea for Earth Day was born out of growing concern for the environment in the 1960s. A Wisconsin junior Senator was inspired by the anti-war protests of that era and sought to bring attention to the issue of pollution and the need for environmental protection following the Santa Barbara oil spill. The Senator organized a nationwide teach-in on April 22, 1970; this event marked the first Earth Day.
Since then, Earth Day has grown into a global movement, with people from all walks of life and all over the world coming together to raise awareness about environmental issues and to take action to protect the planet.
Table of Contents
What is Earth Day?
Earth Day is a global event celebrated annually across the world. It is a day dedicated to raising awareness and promoting action towards environmental protection and sustainability. The event is observed in over 190 countries, with over 1 billion people showing their support and taking action every year.
The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970, and it has since become the largest civic event celebrated around the world. Earth Day was founded to create a national celebration after the country witnessed the devastating effects of an oil spill in California.
Since its inception, Earth Day has been successful in raising public awareness about the importance of protecting the planet and has helped to spur governments and organizations into action.
When is Earth Day celebrated?
Earth Day is celebrated once a year on April 22nd in the United States and in many other countries around the world. It is a day dedicated to providing education on environmental issues and promoting easily implementable sustainable practices.
History of Earth Day
The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970, when millions of people took to the streets to protest the negative impacts of industrialization on the environment. The movement was started by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, who was inspired by the anti-war protests he had seen rise up across the colleges and universities at the time.
In January 1969, just off the coast of Santa Barbara, California, Union Oil began drilling their fifth oil well. Union Oil had requested a waiver for a safety regulation that required 300 feet of protective steel casing around their well to eliminate risk of polluting the surrounding water. The waiver was granted and allowed Union Oil to only have 239 feet of the protective steel casing, instead of the required 300 feet.
As the second week of drilling began, the pressure mounted and oil began spilling into the ocean. For the first 11 days of the oil spill, oil entered the ocean waters at a rate of 9,000 gallons per hour, for a total of 3 million gallons that spanned 35 miles by the end of it. This Santa Barbara Oil Spill is still considered one of the largest oil spills in history and spawned an “Environmental Revolution.”
After visiting the coast of Santa Barbara and seeing the devastation on both the ocean ecosystem and the seabirds, Senator Nelson persuaded California Congressman Pete McCloskey to co-chair his plan for a national “teach-in” across the colleges campuses of the United States. Together they enlisted the help of activist and recent college graduate, Denis Hayes to organize and market the event.
The event was planned for April 22, 1970, a deliberate date set between Spring Break and Final Exams to maximize student participation in the event. The first Earth Day was considered a resounding success with 20 million Americans participating, which was 10% of the total United States population at the time. The celebrations and teachings of that first official Earth Day helped the day become recognized as a day of action intended to create long-lasting change.
In 1990, Earth Day went global, reaching 200 million people in 141 countries and is thought to bring worldwide recycling efforts to center stage. Since then, Earth Day has continued to reach people all over the world. According to earthday.org, Earth Day is widely recognized as the largest secular observance in the world, with over 1 billion people taking action globally each year.
Earth Day Celebrations Around the World
Earth Day is celebrated in many different ways around the world. In some countries, it is a day of political action and protest, while in others it is a day of education and outreach. Many communities organize local events, such as tree-planting ceremonies, beach cleanups, and recycling drives. Some cities even turn off their lights for an hour to raise awareness about energy conservation.
Earth Day is an important reminder of the need to protect our planet and work towards a more sustainable future. By coming together to celebrate and promote environmental awareness, we can make a positive impact on the world around us.
Why is Earth Day Important?
Earth Day is an annual event that draws attention to the environment and promotes conservation and sustainability. It is a day to celebrate the achievements of the environmental movement and raise awareness of the need to protect Earth’s natural resources for future generations.
Environmental Issues
Earth Day is important because it helps to raise awareness of the environmental issues facing our planet. Climate change, pollution, deforestation, and the loss of biodiversity are just a few of the major environmental issues that threaten the health and well-being of our planet and all of us. By drawing attention to these issues, Earth Day helps to inspire people to take action to protect the environment and promote sustainability.
Since Earth day began in April 1970, several key events and federal laws have been passed to help protect the environment and the health and safety of the United States citizens, including the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Several of the major federal laws include the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Toxic Substances Control Act. The creation of the EPA at the end of 1970 provided an overseer to the many environmental laws that would continue to be passed.
Other “side-effects” of Earth Day include the foundation of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988. The IPCC was founded to continually assess global science as it relates to climate change. Reports are released by the IPCC on their current assessment of global climate change. These reports provide information on the causes, potential impacts, and possible responses that would allow us to decrease the negative impacts.
In 1992, at the United Nations Earth Summit, most of the world’s nations committed themselves to the pursuit of economic development in ways that would protect the Earth’s environment and nonrenewable resources. In 2015, the Paris Agreement was signed by the worlds leaders as an international treaty to help battle climate change by limiting global temperature increases.
As a global issue, climate discussions continue to be held on a world-wide stage, with Earth Day being a resource of education and awareness that brings these “Summits” and “Agreements” into individual’s lives and homes.
Sustainability
Sustainability is an important concept that is closely tied to Earth Day. Sustainable practices are systems that last through generations without negative effects on future generations. By promoting sustainability, Earth Day helps to ensure that we are using our natural resources in a responsible and ethical way, so that they will be available for future generations to enjoy.
Conservation
Conservation is another important aspect of Earth Day, involving the protection and preservation of natural resources, such as forests, oceans, and wildlife. By promoting conservation, Earth Day helps to ensure that these resources are protected for future generations to enjoy.
Conservation efforts can include things like recycling, reducing waste, planting a garden, or using renewable energy source. You can get started with a no-dig garden this year and be able to reduce your waste by growing your own produce!
How to Celebrate Earth Day?
Earth Day is a day to celebrate and appreciate the planet we live on. It is a day of action to change how we live in this world, and make a positive impact on the environment. Here are some Earth Day activities that you can join:
Individual Actions
Individuals can take small actions to make a difference on Earth Day. One way is to reduce energy consumption by turning off lights and unplugging electronics when not in use. Another way is to reduce water usage by taking shorter showers and fixing any leaks.
Recycling and composting are also great ways to reduce waste and help the environment. Once you start composting and see the amount of food waste you no longer send to landfills, you will be astounded. If you are looking for ways you can help take action, you can start reducing your waste with these 3 super simple tips.
Spending time in nature is another way to celebrate Earth Day. Individuals can go for a hike, bike ride, or picnic in a park or nature reserve. This is a great way to appreciate the beauty of the planet and connect with nature.
Community Actions
Communities can come together to celebrate Earth Day by organizing events and activities. One way is to organize a neighborhood cleanup or litter pickup. This helps to improve the local environment and reduce pollution. Another way is to plant trees or start a community garden. This helps to improve air quality and promote sustainable food production.
Education is also an important aspect of community action. Individuals can organize workshops, talks, and seminars to educate others about environmental issues and how to take action to protect the planet.
Global Actions
Global actions are important to address larger environmental issues that affect the entire planet. One way is to support organizations that work to protect the environment, such as the World Wildlife Fund or Greenpeace. Another way is to advocate for policy changes that promote sustainability and protect the environment. This can include supporting renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Individuals can also make a difference by reducing their carbon footprint. This can include using public transportation, carpooling, or biking instead of driving. It can also include reducing meat consumption and choosing sustainable products.
Earth Day 2023
Celebrating Earth Day is an opportunity to take action and make a positive impact on the environment. Whether through individual, community, or global actions, everyone can contribute to protecting the planet for future generations.
This year we are celebrating 53 years of Earth Day and the theme for 2023 is “Invest in our Planet” with an emphasis on holding everyone accountable–nations, corporations, businesses, and individuals; everyone can dedicate time, resources, and energy to helping to solve the environmental and climate issues facing the world today.
The keys for Earth Day involve improving the education and resources available to all consumers. Increasing environmental awareness, and climate education serves as a two-fold approach to boost individual engagement in environmental awareness, and prompt future voting to advocate for change on climate issues and/or candidates who support sustainable initiatives.
This year, the Earth Day theme is focusing on ending plastic use, planting trees, global cleanup, and sustainable fashion. All topics intended to increase how we adapt to the climate changes we are facing, and promote everyday actions that can help decrease the problems.
Since April 22 is just one day, I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around the actual impact of Earth Day; honestly, every day should be Earth Day, and we should treat the Earth with all reverence it deserves. I mean, the Earth is actually the reason we can even be living and breathing right now.
Take Action
For Earth Day this year, I hope to attend a local Earth festival. As much as I love celebrating the Earth, and doing what I can to help the environment, I’ve never actually participated in an Earth Day event as an adult. As a child, I remember talking about Earth Day once a year. And maybe we created Earth paintings and coloring pages of recycling, but we never did anything beyond that day. I’m excited to attend this event and learn something new!
You can help in your local community by either planning an event, or attending one. Check out earthday.org to find an event in your area. Let me know in the comments below what you are doing, even if it’s just implementing one small change this year!