By Gabrielle Smith
Earth Day has been internationally celebrated for over 50 years in more than 190 countries. Approximately 1 billion people are participating and raising awareness of climate change and global warming.
Every year since 1970, Earth Day has been traditionally celebrated on April 22. However, this concept of increasing awareness for the earth was first introduced a year prior by an activist named John McConnell. McConnell presented the idea at a conference in San Francisco. In 1970, Earth Day was officially established by a United States Senator named Gaylord Nelson who wanted to help put protecting the planet on the national agenda.
Earth Day became a huge success in 1970, as activist Denis Hayes was appointed as the coordinator for the very first Earth Day celebration. This event had a massive impact on people, which convinced the then President Jimmy Carter to designate Denis Hayes as the director of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in 1974. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is a research facility devoted to developing new ways to produce renewable energy, figure out new ways to efficiently use energy, cerate ways to integrate energy systems, and develop sustainable transportation.
After the Earth Day in 1970 became a huge success, Denis Hayes proceeded to raise awareness of the movement internationally in over one hundred countries where he helped to organize events for thousands of people to participate in.
By the twenty first century the internet was extremely helpful in serving to inform and educate individuals from all over the world of the importance of Earth Day. The internet has only helped to benefit and bring awareness to people about climate change and global warming. With social media today, it has allowed people to share and get others involved. This has made Earth Day a huge success in various parts of the world and is continuing to do so every year.
The modern earth movement also proceeded to make another historical impact during the annual Earth Day of 2016. In 2016, the United States joined and signed into the Paris Agreement. Although the United States withdrew from the agreement in November 2019, within in recent months the U.S. has once again rejoined the Pairs Agreement. The Pairs Agreement is a pledge amongst almost 200 countries that works towards them working together to help reduce the global greenhouse gases in hopes of decreasing the temperature of the planet back to an acceptable level.
It is important for people from all over the world to take part in Earth Day by increasing the recognition of climate change and global warming. Also, it is key to take the time to educate yourself and understand why this day is significant.
If it was not for John McConnell bringing the topic of climate change and global warming to people’s attention in 1969 at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) conference, the movement would have never made it to the U.S. Senator Nelson helped develop the idea more in depth by establishing it as an important topic nationally. With the help of Denis Hayes encouraging the topic further by organizing events around the world to bring attention to the impact of global warming and climate change. It helped the cause immensely by giving a meaning to Earth Day. These three individuals help to start and draw awareness to the modern earth movement, which is marked on April 22 every year, however Earth Day should be celebrated every day, not just one.
