Climate change

Earth Day

Every year, on 22ndĀ of April the Earth is celebrated around the world. Today marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. Earth Dayā€™s mission is toĀ diversify, educate and activate people around the world to contribute to the movement and drive positive action for our planet.Ā 

History of Earth Day

The first Earth Day ever was celebrated in the year 1970. Up until then, especially in America, a lot of pollution clouded the skies. People did not realise that extensive use of leaded gas through inefficient cars and other industrial pollution causes harm and threatens peopleā€™s health. This changed, however, with the publication of a book called Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. It is an environmental science book and it documents the environmental harm caused by use of pesticides. The author, Rachel Carson, especially focused on the chemical industry and synthetic pesticides.
Moreover, it finally raised concerns about the use of chemical pollutants and its implications on public health. Carson uncovered the connection between the health of all living organisms and pollution. The book was a best seller and reached a lot of people, thereby finally creating public awareness for the issue.Ā 

United for Earth

A junior senator from Wisconsin then established Earth Day, following an oil spill in California with tremendous consequences for the already deteriorating environment. The first Earth Day was created as a teach-in day for students at various college campuses. Moreover, the senator built a national staff to promote events all across the country ā€“ this is still done today on Earth Day as there are events held all over the world.
The first Earth Day included mostly demonstrations and rallies against polluting factories, power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, the loss of wilderness and the extinction of wildlife and it united people from all kind of different political, social and economic backgrounds. The demonstrations showed to be very fruitful: By the end of 1970, political agencies for the environment had been established and environmental laws were installed. The first Earth Day that was celebrated globally was in 1990, spreading awareness about environmental issues around the globe.Ā 

Today,Ā Earth Day is marked by more than a billion peopleĀ participating every year to create global, national and local policy changes. Through the internet, digital and social media, people and especially the younger generations come together to fight for the conservation of the planet whose health is evidently deteriorating.Ā 

Earth Day’s Mission

EARTHDAY.ORG sees a change necessary in order to conserve the planet. The environmental crisis we are facing needs to be addressed now. This does not only include holding accountable sectors for their role in it but also requires innovative changes to the way we live on this planet and use its resources. Across all levels and sectors, from businesses to governments to private people, action is required. You, as an individual, can take action by engaging in public discussions, voting, and being aware of your consumer behaviour. Unite with others around you, and your voice will be heard!Ā 

We know what the problems are and we know how to solve them. All we lack is unified action. There is no going back – no matter what we do now, it’s too late to avoid climate change and the poorest, the most vulnerable, those with the least security, are now certain to suffer.

Sir David Attenborough

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