Every year on April 22, more than a billion people across the world unite to celebrate Earth Day, a global movement dedicated to protecting the environment and promoting sustainability. Since its inception in 1970, Earth Day has grown into the largest civic observance on the planet, inspiring action in over 190 countries. It serves as a reminder that our collective efforts, no matter how small, can have a profound impact on the health of our world.
This year’s theme “Our Power, Our Planet”, calls on individuals, communities, and governments to embrace renewable energy, reduce environmental destruction, and harness the power we all hold to build a cleaner, more sustainable future. With the effects of climate change becoming more evident than ever, Earth Day reminds us that the time for action is now.
The first Earth Day, held in 1970, marked a turning point in environmental awareness. Before this, industrial pollution, deforestation, and unchecked environmental destruction were largely ignored. However, inspired by growing concerns, over 20 million people took to the streets across the United States, demanding stronger protections for the planet. Their voices led to the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the passing of landmark environmental laws such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act.
Since then, Earth Day has played an important role in major environmental agreements, including the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2016, a global commitment to reducing carbon emissions and limiting global warming. Today, the movement continues to evolve, focusing on urgent issues such as climate change, plastic pollution, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity.