What’s in this Article?
- Table of Contents
- World Earth Day – History
- World Earth Day 2024: Theme
- Earth Day: Importance
- What is Earth Week?
- What is Earth Hour?
- Some Other Important Days
World Earth Day – History
- First Earth Day: Earth Day was first celebrated on April 22,
- The concept of observing World Earth Day was originally suggested by peace advocate John McConnell during a UNESCO conference in Initially, the intention behind marking this occasion was to pay homage to the Earth.
- The inaugural Earth Day took place in California, United States, on April 22, Two decades later, during the 1990s, Earth Day expanded its reach globally. Specifically, in 1990, Dennis Hayes from USA (an environmental advocate) proposed a global celebration of this day, with participation from approximately 141 countries.
- On April 22, 2009, the United Nations General Assembly officially established April 22 of each year as ‘International Mother Earth Day’ through a resolution. This initiative was instigated by the ‘Plurinational State of Bolivia’ within the United Nations General Assembly.
- The term ‘Mother Earth’ is employed to signify the interconnectedness among humans, other living organisms, and the planet we all inhabit.
- In 2016, Earth Day was particularly dedicated to the cause of climate protection. Presently, the Earth Day network encompasses 20,000 partners and organizations spanning across 190
- Environmental Legislation: Earth Day played a significant role in the creation of landmark environmental legislation in the United States, such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.
World Earth Day 2024: Theme
- This year, the issue of plastic pollution is the primary focus of Earth Day. The year 2024’s theme is “Planet vs. Plastics,” highlighting the health and environmental hazards posed by plastic.
- Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste end up in oceans and landfills. This plastic enters the food chain, harms wildlife, and pollutes our environment.
- Earth Day is now globally coordinated by EARTHDAY.ORG, which is a non-profit organization. It was formerly known as Earth Day Network.
Earth Day: Importance
- In this day and age of growing environmental concerns, diminishing natural resources, and severe climate change, World Earth Day became more significant than ever.
- It not only draws attention to the growing problems, but it also serves as a crucial platform for spreading word about these problems and motivating people all over the world to take action.
What is Earth Week?
- Earth Week is an unofficial extended celebration of Earth Day. To gather more attention to the campaign, some people celebrate Earth Week from April 16 to April
- This week is dedicated to educating yourself and others about Earth Day, climate change and the need to act against it. Earth Week is a great time to start the conversation about protecting our planet.
What is Earth Hour?
- Earth Hour is the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF)’s annual initiative that began in It is held every year on the last Saturday of March.
- It encourages people from more than 180 countries to switch off the lights from 30 pm to 9.30 pm as per their local time.
- It seeks to raise awareness about climate change and the need to save the environment.
Some Other Important Days
- 22nd March: World Water Day
- 22nd April: Earth Day
- 22nd May: World Biodiversity Day
- 5th June: World Environment Day
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