Earth Day

April 22 isn’t just another date; it’s Earth Day, when people come together to save the environment. Over a billion people from across the planet participate in this global phenomenon. In 1970, the first Earth Day was celebrated, and it was founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin. Having been shook by the oil spills, and pollution, he organized a huge national "teach-in" to communicate these concerns. The event was so powerful that it created the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. More than 50 years later, Earth Day is more needed than ever. With the world population nearing 8 billion, our demands on our natural resources are overwhelming the planet. Human civilization is using the resources of 1.75 Earths each year, meaning we're using more than the Earth is regenerating. Earth Day is a reminder that our choices every day have long-term consequences for our planet.

Earth Day Matters

Today, our world is facing major environmental challenges. Climate change is causing global temperatures to rise, creating stronger natural disasters, deadly heatwaves, melting ice caps, and rising sea levels. Scientists report that 19 of the 20 hottest years on record have occurred since 2000. Deforestation is wiping out millions of acres of forest each year, about 10 million hectares annually(roughly the size of Iceland!). This destroys wildlife habitats and reduces Earth’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide. Plastic pollution is becoming a crisis as well. Over 11 million metric tons of plastic enter the oceans each year, harming marine life and contaminating food chains. When ecosystems suffer, people suffer too. From air quality to food availability, these environmental threats are already affecting our daily lives. Days like Earth Day allow people to gain insights and take action to prevent climate change.

Success Stories

Earth Day has fueled real progress over the past five decades. Thanks to environmental laws sparked by Earth Day, the air in cities like Los Angeles is far cleaner today than it was in the 1970s. The Thames River in London, once so polluted it was declared biologically dead, is now home to otters, seals, and hundreds of fish species. Countries like Rwanda have taken bold steps by banning plastic bags, inspiring other nations to follow suit. And massive reforestation projects, such as China’s “Green Great Wall,” have planted billions of trees to combat desertification and restore ecosystems.

You Can Make A Difference!

One of the biggest lessons from Earth Day is that change starts with people. Small actions, especially when taken by many, can have a big impact. Recycling properly, cutting down on single-use plastics, conserving water and electricity, and using eco-friendly transportation are all ways people can reduce their environmental footprint. Even something as simple as switching to LED light bulbs or eating less meat can make a difference. Supporting clean energy, participating in local cleanups, and raising awareness on social media or in school projects can also help amplify the message. By learning about environmental issues and encouraging others to care, students and adults can help shape a more sustainable future. These simple actions help push for bigger changes on a national and global scale.

Earth Day 2025 reminds us that protecting the planet is not just a job for scientists or world leaders, it’s something we can all be part of. While the problems may seem overwhelming, every effort counts. The future of our planet depends on the choices we make today. So take a moment to ask yourself: What can I do for the Earth? The planet is calling. Will you answer?

Works Cited

https://www.earthday.org/history/ 

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/celebrations/article/earth-day

https://www.overshootday.org/

https://climate.nasa.gov/

 https://www.fao.org/forest-resources-assessment/en/

https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2020/07/23/breaking-the-plastic-wave

https://www.epa.gov/clean-air-act-overview/progress-cleaning-air-and-improving-peoples-health

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202303/24/WS641dcb60a31057c47ebb6b17.html