Earth, due to human activity, is in trouble. The ozone layer’s depleting, ecosystems are being lost and people are starving for food and water. Additionally, endangered species are dying at a faster than average rate.

Earth Day, one of the first global initiatives to protect and help conserve the earth, has become a holiday that strives for change on a global scale. It aims at convincing people that their actions matter in preserving the planet.

History of Earth Day

As the world’s most massive environmental movement and one of the most popular holidays to be celebrated, the idea for Earth Day is rooted in history.

Founder Gaylord Nelson, a former U.S. Senator, thought of the idea after witnessing the 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Inspired by the student anti-war movement, he believed it was essential that energy was shifted to concerns about air and water pollution.

His efforts would help put the environmental protection on the political agenda and thus produce change. After continuous work, Nelson helped spread his message to national media and promoted events across the United States. In 1970, 20 million Americans listened and took the streets.

They formed demonstration rallies in support of this cause. Groups that have been previously rallying against environmental factors separately all realized they had shared values, and thus came together on this day.

The first Earth Day since then led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. It has also led to the passing of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts. It wasn’t until 1990 that Earth Day spread globally, spreading the message across 200 million people in 141 countries.

The year 2020 will mark the 50 anniversary of Earth Day celebrated around the globe. As a day of action, this day aims to promote environment changes through policy and peaceful protest. Multiple venues host events that showcase the importance of caring for the environment.

They help by teaching people the consequences of their behaviors and how that affects the ecosystem they live in. People also choose on this day to make conscientious changes by recycling more, using less fuel, and conserving water.

5 FACTS ABOUT EARTH DAY THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND

1. Record high carbon dioxide

   According to the National Geographic society, the carbon dioxide in our atmosphere has never been higher, in part potentially due to nature, and in part due to the advances we as humans have made in industrialization across the globe, since the 1700’s.

2. Less food waste means less greenhouse gas

   Many people may not know this, but the more food we waste and do not consume, the more greenhouse gasses are emitted to transport and biodegrade the waste.

3. Climate change effects temperatures and weather

   According to the U.S. Global Change Research Program, the temperature in the U.S. has increased by 2 degrees in the last 50 years and precipitation has increased by 5%. More extreme weather phenomenons have been occuring in the past 50 years — Extreme weather in 2019 broke over 120,000 records in the US.

4. It’s a politically debated topic

   Even though 97 percent or more of climate scientists agree that climate change is likely due to human activity (according to the Earth Day Network), and nearly 200 scientific organizations globally have issued statements that agree with this view, it’s still a widely debated topic in 2020.

5. The top emitter of carbon dioxide

   China, with their human population of 1.4 Billion, is currently the top emitter of carbon dioxide, accounting for 30% of global carbon emissions, according to Earth Day Network. However, the United States, with a population around 328 Million, comes in second under China as a top emitter, at 15% of carbon emissions worldwide.

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