The Facts of Earth Day

The Facts of Earth Day

Earth Day is celebrated all over the world on Wednesday, April 22. It raises awareness of climate change, environmental issues and global warming. It's started in 1970 when 20 million people in the United States and Senator gaylord Nelson protested the environmental ignorance and demanded that it was taken more seriously and the first earth day was created. Now earth day focuses on creating more public awareness of planet earth and how to look after it. The great global cleanup is something that started alongside the start of earth day, this movement was supposed to create a clean energy where less people would litter and therefore less plastic pollution would effect rivers, seas and therefore animals. Some of the other earth day activities include art exhibitions, conservation efforts, online events, teach-ins and rally events. All of the events aims are to help with climate action, small steps still matter.


This year is the 50th anniversary and it's alarming to see that this day isn't celebrated as well as some other days are. In 2016, 174 countries signed the Paris agreement to make sure that global warming kept below 2° C. "It was one of the largest numbers of countries to ever sign an international agreement on a single day" is what UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon announced. It shows that these countries know how serious of a problem climate change is and how it can seriously effect not just humans but animals too. Also because of Earth day the endangered species act has been put in place. It is said that a million plant and animal species are at risk of extinction including animals that we all love like Giraffes. This is an incredibly big event that is due to climate change, over-fishing, habitat loss, pollution (including plastic pollution) and oil spills that are happening all over the world. This massive change in environmental issues has created less clean air and is not only harming ourselves but animals and plants too.


We use wood to make fire, write on, use as a writing device, toilet paper and so many other things, however roughly 100 trees are cut down every minute, so by the time it may have taken you to read this between 100 and 300 trees have been cut down. Now certain things are important to use, toilet paper is more of a necessity than a want however with the increase of technology it is incredibly important to cut down on using paper. The less paper needed the less trees cut down and therefore better oxygen supply and more animals living because their habitats haven't been chopped down.


Another important thing that earth day has done is create a teach-in where people are able to find out more about climate change, to hear about environmentalism and to know more about what they can do to help with the environment and how to take part next year to help future generations have a better chance. This year for the earth challenge earthday.org have come up with 2 goal's they are working towards. The first goal is to increase the amount of open and interoperable citizen science data to help answer more complex, global questions and goal 2 is to equip and empower more people around the world to understand and act on the data collected to build safer, healthier communities.



Common question regarding Earth Day



When is Earth day 2020?

Earth day is 22nd April and is celebrated every year.



What is Earth day all about?

It's about raising awareness of the issues of global warming, about knowing the problems with plastic and how to go forth with this knowledge and wanting to help out more.



What is the history of Earth day?

April 22nd in 1970 10% of the US population protested against the environmental ignorance and demanded a new way going forward as to what to do to make the Earth better and to protect it. The United States Environmental Protection agency is an independent agency that works towards protecting the environment.



What was the result of the first Earth day?

- The passage of landmark environmental laws in the US

- Clean Air act

- Clean water act

- Endangered species acts

- Environmental Protection Agency

- United nations chose Earth day as the day when the Paris Agreement on climate change was signed into force.



What can I do for Earth day 2020?

You can find out what events are near you on earthday.org

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