In 1970, the first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22nd in the United States as a response to an increase in environmental pollution and destruction. Led by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, the event was a massive success, with over 20 million Americans participating in peaceful rallies and protests for cleaner air and water, and to protect endangered species. The chants of “Give Earth a Chance” echoed across the nation. The success of the movement laid the groundwork for American environmental policy, and subsequently, Earth Day has since become a global celebration of the planet and a call-to-action for us to protect it.
The Earth Day movement launched the environmental movement that we have today. After the 1970 Earth Day celebrations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was established, and landmark environmental laws such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act were passed. Earth Day also helped create the foundations for global summits on climate change and other international environmental agreements. The movement inspired people worldwide to think about the changes they could make in their own communities and personal lives to help the planet. Since then, Earth Day has become a day to raise awareness about issues such as recycling, composting, and energy conservation, as well as a day for environmental activism and eco-friendly changes.
Over the years, the Earth Day motto has been “Think global, act local.” This suggests that although environmental issues are global, everyday efforts are crucial for successful changes. Environmental experts suggest that despite the significant steps that Earth Day has helped initiate, there is still more work to be done. Climate change and global warming continue to be pressing issues that need to be tackled to prevent catastrophic changes in the future.
We have seen the disastrous effects of climate change on our planet. From the melting of the polar ice caps to the increase of natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, climate change affects every aspect of life on Earth. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), if we continue on our current path, the planet’s temperature could increase by up to 4°C by 2100, causing irreparable damages to the environment and humanity. This is the reason why the theme of the 2021 Earth Day is “Restore our Earth.” It seeks to empower individuals and organizations to take action to prevent the looming environmental catastrophes.
In conclusion, Earth Day is an essential date for us to reflect on the impact that our lifestyle and choices have on the planet. We must protect our planet to ensure its sustainability and prosperity for current and future generations. Earth Day is not the only date that we should be carrying out our duty to nature; it should be a year-long commitment. We can make better choices about our energy consumption, food choices, and materials we use in our everyday lives. Everyone can do their part, no matter how small, to reduce our carbon footprint and make Earth a healthier, more vibrant planet. So let us all make Earth Day, every day.
