Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22. On this day, we take time to appreciate the beauty and the resources our planet offers us that sustain our lives, as well as to work to protect them for the upcoming generations.
There are other ways to observe the occasion. But why do we celebrate Earth Day? How did Earth Day start?
Earth Day started through the initiative of Gaylord Nelson, a United States senator, governor, and staunch environmentalist. He is credited with conceiving Earth Day.
Nelson was inspired by the anti-war demonstrations and student activism during the Vietnam War and was driven to spread awareness of environmental concerns after seeing the negative impacts of the 1969 Santa Barbara oil disaster, according to Sky News.
Gaylord Nelson organized lectures on preserving the environment on college campuses around the United States that inspired many to take responsibility for taking care of the planet facing a myriad of environmental issues.
The environment advocates once said, "The ultimate test of man's conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard."
The Impact of Celebrating Earth Day
The inaugural Earth Day jumpstarted in 1970, which saw 20 million people participate in countrywide rallies against pollution and environmental deterioration.
Much significant environmental legislation, including the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and Endangered Species Act, were passed in the US as a consequence of the first Earth Day's success and following public pressure. Governments all across the globe also have since taken several actions to safeguard and maintain the natural environment.
To move the US economy away from fossil fuels, President Joe Biden and legislative Democrats approved the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) last summer, according to Vox. This measure allocates $369 billion to many climate-related initiatives, including tax benefits and refunds for customers who electrify their houses and vehicles, investments in utilities' transition away from coal, oil, and gas, and fines on methane emitters. Additionally, funding will be given to communities impacted by environmental racism and redlining practices.
The US may meet the Biden administration's target of halving greenhouse gas emissions relative to 2005 levels by the end of the decade if the deployment is effective. The United States has already advanced significantly.
How Can We Celebrate Earth Day?
Earth Day is one great opportunity for people to come together to take care of the planet, our only home in the universe. These are some ways how to celebrate Earth Day, as suggested by TimesNow.
Taking part in neighborhood clean-ups. Participating in neighborhood cleaning drives enhances the look of the environment and solves problems with pollution and trash that have a detrimental influence on human health and ecology. It also helps individuals develop a feeling of civic pride, accountability, and community.
Plant Trees Historian Thomas Fuller said, "He that plants trees loves others beside himself." Planting trees and other plants could help in lowering greenhouse gas emissions, enhance the quality of the air and water, provide habitat for animals, and decrease the consequences of climate change.
Reduce Energy Consumption. Decreasing energy usage is crucial because it protects natural resources and slows climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and we can observe this whether it is Earth Day or not.
Here are a couple of energy-saving tips: When not in use, turn off the lights, gadgets, and equipment using energy-saving lighting and appliances. Plus, using water wisely will help bring down the energy needed to purify and distribute water.
Promoting social awareness of environmental concerns. In this digital age, we can help in spreading the message of Earth Day and urge people to take action, such as lessening their carbon footprint, promoting renewable energy regulations, and supporting environmental preservation.
Social media may also be an effective means for connecting and forming networks among those who have a shared environmental concern.
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