Every year, Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd as International Mother Earth Day. The environmental ravages of climate changes have made it more difficult for activists to fight for a cleaner environment.
Why is Earth Day celebrated?
Every year April 22 since 1970 has been an annual affairs for environmental activists to commemorate the day as ‘Earth Day’. This day is dedicated to sharing ideas for more sustainable and environmentally-friendly ways.
How was idea of ‘Earth Day’ floated?
American Senator Gaylord Nelson, who was concerned over the state of the United States’ environment, witnessed the devastation caused by an oil spillage in Santa Barbara.
Nelson wanted to raise awareness about water and air pollution. It was in 1970 when Nelson along with other activists choose April 22 to raise awareness on increasing pollution levels on the ‘mother’ Earth.
When did Earth Day went global?
In 1990, the movement mobilized 200 million people in 141 nations and raised environmental issues to the global stage.
Earth Day 1990 was a major boost for recycling efforts around the world and helped pave the way to the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro.
The success of the event made then US President Bill Clinton to award Earth Day founder—Senator Nelson with Presidential Medal of Freedom — the highest honor given to civilians in the United States.
Theme For This Year’s Earth Day
The theme for this year’s International Mother Earth Day is ‘Invest in our Planet’. It highlights the need for people to come together and take steps to protect biodiversity and our ‘blue planet’.
(Inputs from Earthday.org
