Earth Day - April 22

➡️ Earth Day, April 22 - #OurPowerOurPlanet 

Earth Day is now the largest international civic event on the planet as millions stand up for the safeguarding of our planet and a better future. Now in its 55th year, the event began in 1970 as millions of Americans united to stand against rampant pollution and indifference towards environmental protection.

Jump straight to our resources on ➡️ Earth Day

Explore our comprehensive guides on -

• Environment and Nature

• The Climate Crisis

• The 2015 Paris Climate Agreement

• The United Nations Climate Conferences (COP)

• The Plastics Crisis and UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution

• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• The Fossil Fuel Industry and Renewable Alternatives

• The Biodiversity Crisis

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German speakers can visit our partner site, Bessere Welt Info, for further insight.

Earth Day raises huge public awareness and has led to the establishment of major landmark environmental laws in the U.S., such as the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts. The first nationwide demonstration sparked political action, which led to the creation of the EPA. Earth Day also played a pivotal role in creating global commitments such as the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change.

The 2025 theme 'Our Power Our Planet' focuses on a renewed commitment to renewable energy generation. The nonprofit organisation is calling for global renewable energy generation to be tripled by 2030. For the first time in history, we have the tools and knowledge to provide virtually unlimited, low-cost energy to everyone.

Renewable energy costs are plummeting, large-scale clean energy production would reduce health risks enormously, and a shift from fossil fuels would dramatically reduce the levels of greenhouse gases in the environment, reducing the severity of climate change. The green energy transition also represents a huge economic opportunity, creating millions of new jobs, cutting energy bills, and driving innovation in manufacturing, transportation, and agriculture.

What are the Planet's Most Pressing Environmental Issues?

∗ CLIMATE CRISIS

The year 2024 has been confirmed as the warmest year on record. CO2 levels in the atmosphere are now well above 420 ppm, creating a series of devastating consequences for nations across the globe. Extreme weather events have become more frequent and severe due to climate change.

The consequences of climate change include wildfires, rising sea levels, hurricanes, flooding, heatwaves, melting of the Arctic and Antarctic ice, drought, hunger, increasing conflict over rising competition for land, the widespread displacement of climate refugees, and the huge financial cost of inaction.

∗ BIODIVERSITY LOSS

A 2020 study by the WWF revealed an average decline of 68% in the population sizes of mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, and amphibians between 1970 and 2016. This can be attributed to large-scale land use changes for agricultural systems, the illegal wildlife trade, and deforestation.

More than 500 species of land animals are on the brink of extinction and are likely to be lost within 20 years.

∗ PLASTIC POLLUTION

Annually, the world produces around 350 million tonnes of plastic waste. Fourteen million tonnes of it enters our oceans every year. Devastatingly, 91% of all plastic that has ever been made is not recycled. This is one of our biggest environmental problems and represents a huge market failure.

Plastics take up to 400 years to decompose, meaning that future generations will be left dealing with the irreversible effects of today's irresponsibility for their whole lives.

∗ AIR POLLUTION

Air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year. Nine out of ten people globally are breathing in high levels of pollutants with Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India taking the top spots for the most polluted countries. In these places, air pollution cuts life expectancy by 5 years.

Industrial emissions, transport, and waste burning are the biggest contributors, which are then exasperated by poor governmental regulation, ageing infrastructure, and insufficient healthcare.

∗ FOOD AND WATER INSECURITY

With decades of unsustainable farming practices and the impacts of climate change, our planet is experiencing the devastating consequences of our inability to feed our planet's expanding population.

Topsoil laden with fertilisers and pesticides is being eroded 100 times faster than it can naturally be replenished. As well as seriously limiting the soil's ability to produce food, it is also a key factor in the contamination of drinking water.

In 2022, nearly 258 million people across 58 countries experienced crisis-level food shortages, and 1.1 billion people worldwide lacked access to clean drinking water.

How Can I Get Involved in Earth Day?

• Join activities prepared by environmental organisations near you.

• Plant trees, join or organise a local litter collection or clean up.

• Show your support at a local protest.

• Get active on social media, spread awareness and use your voice.

• Write to representatives in your country responsible for environmental and climate policy.

• Share Better World Info’s platforms for Earth Day and the Climate Crisis with your peers.

• Use the Earth Day tool kits for further inspiration.

While individual actions may seem small, global participation in Earth Day creates a powerful force for change, influencing policy, corporate practices and raising public awareness of environmental issues that require the urgent attention and action of global leaders.

Earth Day for a Better World

As an essential platform for dialogue among nations, Earth Day helps to foster a collaborative approach to address global environmental challenges and push for stronger environmental governance and commitments.

It serves as a call to action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, end fossil fuel subsidies, transition to renewable energy sources, and protect the planet's precious natural resources. We must unite individuals and organisations in a collaborative effort to combat environmental degradation.

This Earth Day, let us commit to a renewable energy transition for a healthy, sustainable, equitable and prosperous future for everyone.

Author: Rachael Mellor, 22.04.24 (Updated 22.04.25) licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

For further reading on Earth Day see below ⬇️