Earth Day is an annual worldwide event held each April 22
to demonstrate support for environmental protection.
The official site is
Earthday.org
The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970.
Why was April 22 the date chosen?
Because the actor Eddie Albert (remember the TV show Green Acres?)
was a vocal environmentalist and co-founder
of the group that launched Earth Day.
April 22 was Eddie Albert's birthday, so the group chose that day.
The day was not just an event for "tree huggers".
The United Auto Workers (UAW) was the most instrumental
outside financial and operational supporter of the first Earth Day.
The term "Earth Day" is intentionally not trademarked.
The organizers wanted the term to be freely
available to all groups
who wanted to promote their Earth Day events and products.
THE EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) was formed
because of Earth Day.
Democrats, Republicans and people from all walks of life came together to support
Earth Day. By the end of 1970, it resulted in the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as well as the passing of significant environmental laws like the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act and the Endangered Species Act, among others.
Earth Day went global in 1990.
Now
over ONE BILLION people worldwide participate in Earth Day.
That is about 12.5% of the world's population!
The official theme for 2024 is "Planet vs. Plastics",
focusing not only on reducing the huge amount of plastic waste,
but also on the reduction and elimination of
microplastics
in the food we consume.
Should we care?
Even if only on a selfish level- yes.
Being a responsible and mindful citizen of the planet in your everyday life
is really to your own benefit.
Clean up after yourself in public, don't litter, and you will be able
to enjoy that clean space in the future.
Minimize the amount of stuff you send to the dump, and they won't have to build another dump maybe closer to your house the next time.
Every time you reuse something instead of tossing it and buying a new
one,
you save money.
Money that you can use to buy, say- magic tricks!