Earth Day, a universally recognized annual celebration, occurs on April 22nd each year. The purpose of this worldwide event is to provide an avenue for individuals and organizations to demonstrate their support for environmental protection initiatives. First commemorated in 1970, Earth Day has grown into a global affair, being celebrated in over 193 countries and organized by the Earth Day Network. Gaylord Nelson, an eminent American environmental advocate and politician, was the one who initially suggested observing such a day.
The United Nations’ Perspective on Earth Day
The United Nations (UN) emphasises that International Earth Day serves as a reminder to all of us about the essential role that Earth and its ecosystems play in providing life and nourishment. The day also underscores the collective responsibility that we all share. As elaborated in the Rio Declaration from the Earth Summit in 1992, we are called upon to work towards establishing harmony with nature and the Earth. The aim is to strike a fair balance between economic, social, and environmental needs for present and future human generations.
Raising Public Awareness on Global Challenges
Earth Day presents a unique opportunity to heighten public awareness globally about the challenges that confront the well-being of our planet and all the life forms it sustains. Each year, Earth Day revolves around a specific theme, and for 2019, the chosen theme was “Protect Our Species.”
Earth Day Network: Mission and Location
The Earth Day Network (EDN) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to diversify, educate, and stimulate the environmental movement on a worldwide scale. The main office of EDN is situated in Washington DC, USA.
| Year | Theme |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Protect Our Species |
| 2020 | Climate Action |
| 2021 | Restore Our Earth |
Observance of Earth Hour
Recently, the Earth Hour 2019 was marked on March 30, during which time individuals were encouraged to turn off lights and other non-essential electrical devices from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm in their local time zones. The theme for this year’s observance was #Connect2Earth, symbolising a universal call to unite in the fight against climate change and step up efforts in conserving our planet.