On April 22, 2023, people around the world are celebrating Earth Day, an annual event that began in 1970 to promote environmental awareness and activism. This year marks the 53rd anniversary of the event, which is now observed in over 190 countries.
Earth Day was first proposed by US Senator Gaylord Nelson, who was inspired by the student anti-war movement and wanted to create a similar movement to promote environmental awareness. On April 22, 1970, more than 20 million Americans took part in rallies and demonstrations across the country to demand action on environmental issues such as pollution and habitat destruction.
Since then, Earth Day has become a global event, with millions of people participating in activities such as planting trees, cleaning up beaches and parks, and advocating for policy changes to protect the environment. This year’s theme is “Invest In Our Planet.”
Events and activities are taking place across the globe to mark the occasion, from beach cleanups in Australia to tree-planting in China. In the United States, President Biden has announced a series of executive actions aimed at addressing climate change, including a pledge to cut US greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030.
As the world faces mounting environmental challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss, Earth Day remains a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting our planet for future generations.
