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Earth Day was started by US Senator Gaylord Nelson to increase public awareness of environmental issues. He enlisted activist Denis Hayes to coordinate events across the country. ‘Planet vs. Plastics’ is the global theme for Earth Day 2022, with an emphasis on reducing plastic production for the sake of human and planetary health.

On April 22, people observe Earth Day to raise awareness of environmental conservation. It was initially observed on US college campuses in 1970, a few months following the catastrophic Santa Barbara oil spill. Since then, the movement has inspired over a billion people in more than 192 nations. The worldwide theme for this year’s celebration is “Planet vs. Plastics.”

The Paris Accord, generally regarded as the most important accord to be signed in the history of the climate and environmental movement, was set for April 22, 2016, by the United Nations. On April 22, that year, leaders from 196 countries convened to ratify a binding agreement to combat global warming. Under the Accord, nations are obliged to attempt to keep global warming to 1.5°C, and greenhouse gas emissions must peak by 2025 at the latest and decrease by 43% by 2030.

How did Earth Day first originate?

Earth Day originated in the US a few months after a massive oil spill off the California coast. US Senator Gaylord Nelson had sought to “infuse the energy of student anti-war protests with an emerging public consciousness about air and water pollution” during this time. He recruited activist Denis Hayes to organize campus teach-ins and scale the idea to a broader public. The duo chose April 22 as the date — then a weekday falling between Spring Break and Final Exams — to maximize student participation.

According to the earthday.org website, Hayes eventually built a national staff of 85 to promote events across the land. They also changed the name of the event to Earth Day to garner greater visibility. 

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10 Sustainable Future Activities for Earth Day

• Plant trees This is the first and foremost thing that one can do on Earth Day. Trees not only beautify any area, but they also help the environment produce oxygen and filter out all kinds of pollutants from the air to clean it. It also saves energy, reduces pollution levels, and helps combat climate change. So, every human being must plant a tree for the good.
• Reduce, reuse, and recycle this classic trio remains a powerful strategy to help save the earth. Reduce the non-biodegradable materials you consume, reuse items whenever possible, and recycle materials responsibly to conserve natural resources and landfill space.
• Conserve energy turn off lights and electronics when not in use, unplug chargers, and consider switching to energy-efficient appliances to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This will not only save you money but also help to curb pollution.
• Educate yourself and spread awareness This is another way to help save your planet on Earth Day. While efforts are made to raise awareness in institutions and schools, the elderly must be mindful of their actions that lead to environmental damage. Talk to your friends and family about environmental issues and encourage them to adopt sustainable practices.
• Be water-wise sure to turn off the tap while you are brushing, shaving, or doing some other work. Take shorter showers, fix leaky faucets, and water your lawn wisely. Also, drink filtered tap water instead of bottled water. It will save you a lot of money and reduce plastic waste as well. Remember, every drop counts and a simple act can do wonders.
• Give Up Plastics Humans are addicted to plastic; around 1 million people buy plastic drinking bottles every minute around the world and use up to 5 trillion single-use plastic bags every year. So, it’s time to break the cycle this Earth Day and start avoiding plastic. Start by saying no to plastic shopping bags, buying bottled water, or plastic utensils. Instead, use cloth bags and reusable utensils to create a healthier planet.
• Choose To Walk, Use a Bike, or Public Transportation Travel via Bike, walk, carpool, or use public transportation whenever possible, as these are obvious ways to reduce greenhouse gases. This also reduces your carbon footprint and traffic congestion.
• Eat Sustainable Foods Start a small vegetable garden and grow your fruits and vegetables, or choose food from local farmers that aim to conserve natural resources to reduce your reliance on industrial agriculture and its environmental impact. Eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and nuts and fewer red meats and processed foods can make a difference.
• Volunteer We should all keep our surroundings clean as picking up roadside trash is not a job meant for only a handful of people. Hence, volunteer for cleanups in your community and pick up roadside trash, segregate it, and clean your area. It will stop your area from becoming a breeding ground for diseases.
• Try Composting Collect the banana peels, orange rinds, and other produce scraps into the compost bin. This method is one of many ways people can reduce their negative impact on the planet, as it would help reduce the amount of solid waste one produces. Plus, compost is a great natural fertilizer.