· 2 min read
illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Earth.Org or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970, inspired by the student anti-Vietnam war movement and environmental teach-ins organized by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson
• It has grown to become the largest secular observance globally, celebrated by over 1 billion people across more than 192 countries
• The date, April 22, was chosen to maximize student participation, positioned between Spring Break and final exams
• Key U.S. environmental laws like the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act were enacted following the first Earth Day, which also saw the U.N. signing the Paris Agreement on an Earth Day
• The 2024 Earth Day theme is "Planet vs. Plastics," focusing on reducing plastic pollution and its impact on the environment
🔭 The context: The initial Earth Day emerged from an increasing public awareness about environmental degradation, driven by visible pollution and oil spills, and was modeled after vibrant, student-led anti-war protests, shifting its focus toward environmental activism
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Earth Day's evolution from a national movement to a global platform underlines the growing consensus on the importance of environmental issues, influencing major international agreements and national policies aimed at preserving the planet
⏭️ What's next: Earth Day continues to evolve, tackling the urgent issues of each era. The 2024 focus on plastics is intended to foster significant reductions in plastic waste, aiming for impactful global policies and changes in consumption patterns
💬 One quote: "Inspired by the energetic anti-Vietnam war protest movement by students, a US Senator named Gaylord Nelson introduced a teach-in on college campuses on environmental awareness," reflects the origin and ongoing spirit of Earth Day
📈 One stat: "Every year, 1 billion individuals across the globe are united and mobilised for the same cause – greater environmental awareness and climate action."
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