Description

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Context

Earth Day takes place every year on 22 April and is one of the biggest environmental protest movements on the planet.

First celebrated on 22 April 1970 in the United States.

What is Earth Day?

Earth Day is an international day devoted to promoting awareness and action to protect the environment.

It is one of the biggest environmental protest movements globally involving about 1 billion people annually.

Celebrated through activities such as planting trees, cleaning up litter, environmental education campaigns and protests and calls for policy changes.

Theme for 2025: Our Power, Our Planet

Focus: Triple the global generation of clean electricity by 2030. The goal is critical for limiting the rise in global temperatures to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Why is Earth Day Important?

Aspect	Details
Historical Impact	Sparked the modern environmental movement. Led to the creation of the US Environmental Protection Agency and major legislation like the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act.
Global Reach	Went global in 1990 — mobilized 200 million people in 141 countries paving the way for the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio.
Ongoing Relevance	Environmental issues are among the top global risks today e.g., biodiversity loss, extreme weather, ecosystem collapse.
Climate Crisis	Without urgent action the planet is heading toward 3.2°C warming by 2100 risking catastrophic impacts.
Nature's Role	Nature has absorbed 54% of human-made carbon dioxide emissions over the past decade but biodiversity loss is occurring at an unprecedented rate.
Call for Action	Earth Day continues to drive citizen, corporate and governmental action for sustainability and climate resilience.

How Did Earth Day Begin?

Late 1960s: Environmental destruction was rising (oil spills, air pollution, industrial waste).

1969: US Senator Gaylord Nelson proposed teach-ins on campuses.

Joined by Congressman Pete McCloskey and activist Denis Hayes to organize a broader movement.

1970: 20 million Americans participated (about 10% of the US population). Massive street protests, e.g., Fifth Avenue in New York was blocked.

Marked the birth of the modern environmental movement.

1990: Expanded beyond the US. Focused on boosting global recycling efforts.

Contributed to:

1992 UN Earth Summit (Rio de Janeiro)
Formation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Current Urgency

2025 Global Risks Report(World Economic Forum):
- Environmental risks are 5 out of top 10global risks.
- Top 3 risks:
  - Extreme weather events
  - Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse
  - Critical changes to Earth's systems
- Past decade (2015-2024):Hottest years on record.
- 2024:Likely first year with global mean temperature above 1.5°C since pre-industrial era.

Sources: WEFORUM

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. "Earth Day is no longer just a day of awareness but a global movement for survival." Discuss the evolution, significance, and current relevance of Earth Day in the context of contemporary environmental challenges. (250 words)