Happy Earth Day! Happy Mother Earth Day! Today is the perfect day to reflect on what this planet means to us and how we can contribute to making a positive impact on the environment.
What is Earth Day?
Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22 worldwide in support of environmental protections for the Earth. It marks the anniversary of the beginning of the modern environmental movement in 1970. It has become recognized as a global event, with more than 190 countries participating in it. Many countries also observe Earth Week or even Earth Month, where they organize activities, rallies and events to raise awareness and demonstrate support for environmental protection. It is considered “the largest secular holiday in the world,” celebrated by more than one billion people every year and is annually coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network, a non-profit organization.
In 1969, there was a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, witnessed by a US Senator from Wisconsin, Gaylord Nelson. At that time, there was political unrest and student anti-war movements due to the War in Vietnam. Senator Nelson wanted to capitalize on the student energy and infuse it with an emerging public consciousness about air and water pollution. He rallied with other politicians and researchers to promote his idea for a “national teach-in on the environment.” And on April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans took to the streets to demonstrate a healthy, sustainable environment in rallies all across the United States. Senator Nelson is considered the founder of Earth Day. This event brought together many different groups with different goals, such as those fighting against oil spills, pollution from factories and power plants, pesticides, loss of wilderness, extinction of wildlife, raw sewage and toxic dumps; they were all united in their protests against the deterioration of the environment. Earth Day brought people from all walks of life together, Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, city folk and farmers; they all came together to better the environment. This first Earth Day gave birth to the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts.
First Earth Day Rally held in 1970
In 1990, Earth Day went global; it mobilized more than 200 million people in 141 countries and brought environmental issues to the forefront of world politics. This Earth Day led to a massive boost in worldwide recycling efforts.
Each year on April 22, there are parades, festivals, and rallies held ALL OVER the world to show support for environmental protection.
Earth Day even has its own flag, created by John McConnell, a US peace activist. It also has its own anthem.
And this year, more than one billion people are expected to celebrate this momentous day!
What is the Paris Agreement?
This year on April 22, more than 155 countries are set to sign the Paris Agreement on Climate Change at UN Headquarters in New York.
The Paris Agreement was drafted during the Paris Climate Summit in December 2015. The Paris Agreement will have countries pledge to work to limit the temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius. Still, the goal is to achieve a below 1.5 degrees Celsius temperature rise.
It will be open for signature until Earth Day 2017.
China and the United States are the world’s top Carbon Dioxide emitters, and both countries have agreed to sign the agreement at the UN Ceremony Today. But signing is only the first step of the process. To move forward with the plan and have actual actions and results, the project must be formally approved by at least 55 nations contributing to 55% of the man-made greenhouse gas emissions. It is scheduled to come into action in 2020.
For the sake of the Earth, we hope that signing is not just a gesture but a serious commitment to making changes for climate change and a better environment, to plant more trees, divesting from fossil fuels and making cities run on renewable energy!
How can you celebrate Earth Day?
Whether you want to volunteer or participate in an event or festival, the possibilities for getting involved are endless. For example, on Earth Day, you can celebrate by participating in the many rallies, festivals, and parades taking place worldwide.
But you can also get involved without attending an official event by focusing on your own personal habits and try use this day to make changes in your lifestyle, such as:
- Walking to work, cycling or taking public transport
- Use a reusable coffee cup or water bottle
- Make sure to recycle
- Go paperless
- Plant a tree
- Buy Local Produce and Support Local Businesses
- Take a tote bag when shopping
- Go meat or dairy-free at least once a week
- Add the Earth Mode Google Chrome extension to monitor your energy use
Here at Living Life Natural Blog, we want to encourage an Earth Day “attitude.” This means living in a way that respects and cherishes the well-being of our environment and ecosystem. It also means shopping and consuming in the most responsible way possible. We contribute to this cause by offering products that care for your personal health without ever neglecting Mother Earth. So you get to enjoy products that are natural, organic and green.
We would love to know how you celebrated Earth Day and what changes you have decided to make! Let us know in the comments below how the experience has been so far and if you have any tips. Connect with us on Social Media to stay informed about more ways to Live Life Naturally, and make sure to comment below to share your thoughts with us!
Remember, the Earth is our only home – our shared home. Let’s protect it together. Change begins with us.
