At Terrapass, we often discuss the importance of respecting the planet. Each of us should do our part to make the world a cleaner, healthier place. Earth Day serves as a reminder about why that message is such a critical one to heed. As we reduce waste and mitigate our carbon footprint using smart, practical solutions like carbon offsets, we will start to notice a difference as a global community working to reduce climate change and its damaging effects. We invite everyone to join us this Earth Day to continue to promote environmental awareness and work together to reduce our impact on the planet.
What is the Importance of Earth Day?
While environmental issues are critical to the health and wellbeing of the entire planet, they, unfortunately, are ignored by far too many. Earth Day is one occasion where people, organizations, and governments around the globe pause and take notice. In fact, Earth Day has helped spark several environmental accomplishments, including: [1]
- The Global Environmental Facility’s $200 million investment in ocean cleanup
- The World Bank’s new Pollution Management and Environmental Health Trust Fund (PMEH)
- A commitment from various organizations to register one million new climate voters for the 2016 election
- Interfaith Power & Light’s (IFPL) call to reduce carbon pollution 50 percent by 2030
- UNEP and EPA’s Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint
When Do We Celebrate Earth Day?
Senator Gaylord Nelson was a Democrat from Wisconsin and back in 1969 helped spearhead an environmental movement that eventually led to the United States celebrating the very first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. [2] That first day brought together an estimated 20 million people across the U.S. for activities and celebrations. [3] Today, over 1-billion people in 193 countries take part in Earth Day. [4] The next earth day will be celebrated on April 22, 2020, with the theme “Climate Action.” [5]
Earth Day Quotes We Love!
Because Earth Day carries such a powerful message of hope, many notable politicians, celebrities, and activists have echoed their support for this important day. If you need some inspiration this Earth Day, then check out 10 of our favorite earth-inspiring quotes below.
- “I only feel angry when I see waste. When I see people throwing away things we could use.”—Mother Teresa [6]
- “One of the first conditions of happiness is that the link between man and nature shall not be broken.”—Leo Tolstoy [6]
- “The environment is where we all meet; where we all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share.”— Lady Bird Johnson [6]
- “Like music and art, love of nature is a common language that can transcend political or social boundaries.”—Jimmy Carter [6]
- “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not every man’s greed.”—Gandhi [7]
- “Look deep into nature and you will understand everything better.”—Einstein [7]
- “This world is but a canvas to our imagination.”—Henry David Thoreau [7]
- “The earth has music for those who listen.”—William Shakespeare [7]
- “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”—Native American Proverb [7]
- “When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.”—John Muir [7]
10 Earth Day Facts
There are many fascinating facts about Earth Day, and below, you’ll find 10 of the most interesting. Be sure to read to the end, and share the ones you like on social media.
1. April 22 was selected to encourage participation among college students.
In 1970 when the first Earth Day was celebrated, many participants were college students. Organizers decided on the April 22 date because it fell between spring break and final exams when the highest number of students could participate. [8]
2. Earth Day helped inspire the U.S. Government to create the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Earth Day helped force many environmental issues into the mainstream. As a result, the U.S. started adopting more environmental protections, including: [9]
- The EPA
- The Clean Air Act
- The Clean Water Act
3. Internationally, Earth Day is called “Mother Earth Day.”
While the whole world celebrates on April 22, not everywhere calls it Earth Day. Outside of the United States, people call it Mother Earth Day. In 2009, the United Nations officially recognized Mother Earth Day. [10]
4. To celebrate Earth Day 2009, Nasa planted a “Moon Tree.”
Apollo 14 astronauts successfully took seeds from a Loblolly Pine, Sycamore, Sweet Gum, Redwood, and Douglas Fir tree with them to the moon and back. Then in 2009, NASA planted one of those seeds in the United States National Arboretum to celebrate Earth Day. [11]
5. The Earth Day theme changes every year.
Earth Day organizers pick a new theme every year to help focus efforts and raise awareness. You can check out this year’s theme by visiting earthday.org.
6. An oil spill helped start Earth Day.
On January 29, 1969, in Santa Barbara, California, there was a devastating oil spill. Many believe this environmental catastrophe is what helped inspire the adoption of Earth Day across the U.S. [12]
7. Over 100,000 people in China celebrated Earth Day by riding their bikes to help reduce CO2.
Back in 2012, thousands of individuals across China showed their support for Earth Day by joining together to ride their bikes for the day. Their efforts included over 100,000 people and helped reduce CO2 and the burning of fossil fuels for the day. [13]
8. Anyone and everyone can participate in Earth Day.
Earth Day is brilliant and straightforward in its simplicity. Anyone, regardless of their age or location, can join together to celebrate. So, this April 22, do your part and join an event or start your own!
9. 28 million trees were planted in Afghanistan as part of their “Plant Trees Not Bombs” campaign.
Another record-breaking Earth Day event happened in Afghanistan in 2011 when the Earth day Network help plant 28 million trees in a campaign they called “Plant Trees Not Bombs.” [14]
10. Earth Day Turns 50 In 2020.
In 2020 Earth Day hits a significant milestone and will celebrate its 50th year! Organizers are planning to make this historic Earth Day one of the largest celebrations ever. [15]
10 Earth Day Activities
There are endless ways you can celebrate Earth Day. From helping educate others, to planting trees and reducing waste, every Earth Day activity can help. If you need some inspiration for your Earth Day plans, then check out these 10 popular Earth Day Activities.
- Walk, ride your bike, or carpool to work.
- Plant a tree, or get together a group and plant a lot of trees.
- Attend a local Earth Day event.
- Start a garden.
- Write a letter to a local, state, or federal representative.
- Get out and enjoy nature with a hike or walk in a park.
- Have a zero-waste day by throwing nothing out for an entire day.
- Help spread awareness and organize your own event.
- Volunteer your time at an Earth Day event.
- Calculate your carbon footprint.
Earth Day + Carbon Offsets
Some of the Earth Day activities that have the most significant and lasting impact are ones that keep going after April 22. Carbon offsets can help you make a real difference for the planet 365 days a year. Best of all, you don’t need to wait until Earth Day to get started. Use our free online calculator to estimate your annual carbon footprint, then select the right plan for you to help reduce your environmental impact each and every day—you can’t manage what you don’t measure!
Brought to you by terrapass.com
Sources
- “Our Successes.” Earth Day, www.earthday.org/our-successes/.
- “Earth Day 2020” History, https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/earth-day.
- The First Earth Day, www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/modern/jb_modern_earthday_1.html.
- ABC News, ABC News Network, abcnews.go.com/International/earth-day-2019/story?id=62552199.
- “Earth Day 2020.” Earth Day, www.earthday.org/earth-day-2020/.
- BrassawBrian, Brian. “Earth Day: 23 of the Greatest Environmental Quotes.” Earth911.Com, 13 June 2019, earth911.com/inspire/earth-day-23-quotes/.
- “28 Quotes to Celebrate Earth Day.” Skip Prichard | Leadership Insights, April 25. 2017, www.skipprichard.com/28-quotes-to-celebrate-earth-day/.
- “The History of Earth Day.” Earth Day, www.earthday.org/history/.
- “EPA History: Earth Day.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, February 25. 2020, www.epa.gov/history/epa-history-earth-day.
- “International Mother Earth Day.” United Nations, United Nations, www.un.org/en/observances/earth-day.
- Dunbar, Brian. “NASA Plants Historic Moon Tree in Celebration of Earth Day.” NASA, NASA, www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/earthday/moontree.html.
- Savedge, Jenn. “How the Environmental Movement Of Earth Day Has Evolved.” ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo, April 19. 2019, www.thoughtco.com/earth-day-1140756.
- Kart, Jeff. “Earth Day Turns 50 In 2020 And Organizers Are Building The Largest Environmental Mobilization In History.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, January 24 2020, www.forbes.com/sites/jeffkart/2020/01/23/earth-turns-50-in-2020-and-organizers-are-building-the-largest-environmental-mobilization-in-history/#5868b4fa2273.
