Earth Day 2024: History, theme and 10 activities that can help protect our planet!

Earth Day 2024: History, theme and 10 activities that can help protect our planet!

Mangalore Today News Network/News18

April 22, 2024: Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 every year. The day is also known as International Mother Earth Day. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness about various issues that threaten the environment and endanger the planet, such as the rapidly rising levels of pollution, deforestation, and global warming. Countries and organisations from all around the world unite to promote awareness of the critical need to preserve the environment.

 

The planet will commemorate the 54th Earth Day on April 22, 2024, at a time when pollution is at never-before-seen levels and temperatures on are breaking records every year. Thousands of people worldwide organise campaigns and make commitments to improve the planet’s health. Earth Day is celebrated through various seminars, events and concerts. These modern environmental movements help the world realise the need to nurture the planet for better living.

History of the day

Gaylord Nelson, a US senator and environmentalist, and Harvard University graduate student Denis Hayes organised it for the first time. According to the BBC, Mr Nelson and Mr Hayes planned the event because they were worried about environmental damage in the US, particularly following a significant oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, in 1969.

On April 22, 1970, 20 million American citizens took to the streets across the city to protest against environmental crises such as water pollution, oil spills, forest fires, air pollution etc. That street protest created a huge buzz and spread like wildfire as hundreds of cities joined gradually the revolution to make it one of the biggest protests on the globe.

Theme of Earth Day

The theme this year is "Planet vs. Plastics," which aims to increase public awareness of the detrimental effects that plastic pollution has on both human and environmental health.

The theme was selected with the historic UN plastics convention in mind, which is anticipated to be adopted by the end of 2024. The UK is one of the more than 50 nations that have demanded that plastic pollution be ended by 2040.

Here are 10 activities you can incorporate into your daily routine on the occasion of Earth Day to bring change. Remember, every little action counts. By incorporating these practices into your life, you can make a positive difference for the planet.

10 Earth Day Activities for a Sustainable Future

1. Plant trees
    
This is the first and foremost thing that one can do on Earth Day. Trees not only beautify any area, but they also help the environment produce oxygen and filter out all kinds of pollutants from the air to clean it. It also saves energy, reduces pollution levels, and helps combat climate change. So, every human being must plant a tree for the good.
    
2. Reduce, reuse, and recycle
    
This classic trio remains a powerful strategy to help save the earth. Reduce the non-biodegradable materials you consume, reuse items whenever possible, and recycle materials responsibly to conserve natural resources and landfill space.
    
3. Conserve energy
    
Turn off lights and electronics when not in use, unplug chargers, and consider switching to energy efficient appliances to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This will not only save you money but also help to curb pollution.
    
4. Educate yourself and spread awareness
    
This is another way to help save your planet on Earth Day. While efforts are made to raise awareness in institutions and schools, the elderly must be mindful of their actions that lead to environmental damage. Talk to your friends and family about environmental issues and encourage them to adopt sustainable practices.
    
5. Be water-wise
    
Make sure to turn off the tap while you are brushing, shaving, or doing some other work. Take shorter showers, fix leaky faucets, and water your lawn wisely. Also, drink filtered tap water instead of bottled water. It will save you a lot of money and reduce plastic waste as well. Remember, every drop counts, and a simple act can do wonders.
    
6. Give Up Plastics
    
Humans are addicted to plastic; around 1 million people buy plastic drinking bottles every minute around the world and use up to 5 trillion single-use plastic bags every year. So, it’s time to break the cycle this Earth Day and start avoiding plastic. Start by saying no to plastic shopping bags, buying bottled water, or plastic utensils. Instead, use cloth bags and reusable utensils to create a healthier planet.
    
7. Choose To Walk, Use Bike or Public Transportation
    
Travel via Bike, walk, carpool, or use public transportation whenever possible, as these are obvious ways to reduce greenhouse gases. This also reduces your carbon footprint and traffic congestion.
    
8. Eat Sustainable Foods
    
Start a small vegetable garden and grow your own fruits and vegetables, or choose food from local farmers that aim to conserve natural resources to reduce your reliance on industrial agriculture and its environmental impact. Eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and nuts and fewer red meats and processed foods can make a difference.
    
9. Volunteer
    
We should all keep our surroundings clean as picking up roadside trash is not a job meant for only a handful of people. Hence, volunteer for cleanups in your community and pick up roadside trash, segregate it, and clean your area. It will stop your area from becoming a breeding ground for diseases.
    
10. Try Composting
    
Collect the banana peels, orange rinds, and other produce scraps into the compost bin. This method is one of many ways people can reduce their negative impact on the planet, as it would help reduce the amount of solid waste one produces. Plus, compost is a great natural fertiliser.