Earth Day

What Is Earth Day?

Every April 22nd is "Earth Day." Prompted by a call from US Senator Gaylord Nelson, the first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970. Free from any specific organization, religion, or political affiliation, it became a day for anyone to freely express their commitment to protecting the planet, and today it is considered one of the world's largest environmental observances, with related activities in more than 190 countries.

Milestones in Earth Day History

Earth Day became a catalyst for reconsidering the balance between economic growth and environmental impact.

• The first Earth Day in 1970: About 20 million Americans are said to have taken part in rallies and marches. At the end of that year the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established, and environmental regulation advanced with amendments to the Clean Air Act and, later, the passage of the Clean Water Act.
• The Paris Agreement signing: On Earth Day in 2016, the signing ceremony for the Paris Agreement — the international framework for tackling global warming — was held at UN headquarters in New York.

How Earth Day Began and Spread

The birth of Earth Day was closely tied to the mood of American society at the time.

• An oil spill as the trigger: Senator Nelson's idea is said to have been prompted by the large oil spill off Santa Barbara, California, in 1969.
• Borrowing from student activism: The idea was to apply the "teach-in" format then popular on university campuses to environmental issues. A young organizer, Denis Hayes, was chosen to coordinate the national effort.
• Going global: In 1990, Earth Day was held on a global scale and is said to have spread to more than 140 countries.
• A UN observance: In 2009, the UN General Assembly designated April 22 as "International Mother Earth Day," observed since 2010.

Interesting Facts About Earth Day

• Anyone can take part: Individuals and groups are free to join Earth Day in their own way. This decentralized style has produced a wide variety of activities around the world.
• The "Blue Marble" seen from space: The photo of Earth taken by the Apollo 17 crew in 1972, known as "The Blue Marble," widely shared an image of our planet floating in space and became one of the iconic photos of the environmental movement.
• A UN day, too: The UN's "International Mother Earth Day" made Earth Day an official UN international day.
• Plastic in the ocean: Estimates suggest that millions of tons of plastic waste flow into the ocean every year. Beyond recycling, "reducing" the amount we use is also considered important.
• Events across Japan: In Japan, too, cleanup activities and environmental events are held in many places around April 22.

Tips for Spending Earth Day

• Try making just one "Earth-friendly choice" in your daily life — bringing your own bag or bottle, choosing local food, or turning off unnecessary lights. Start with what you can do.
• Take a walk in a park or along a nearby green path and notice the nature around you. Noticing the seasonal changes of fresh spring greenery is a first step toward caring about the environment.
• Think about the "story" behind the things around you. Look into where and how the coffee you're drinking or the clothes you're wearing were made.
• Read or watch environmental documentaries and articles. Learn about the current situation through data and examples, and think about what actions you can take.

The Ground Beneath Our Feet and the Sky Above Are Treasures We All Share

April 22nd is a day to think about the environment of the planet we live on and to rethink our everyday actions. Environmental problems can feel so vast that one person's actions seem not to matter. Yet just as the 1970 Earth Day spread across the United States from one person's call, small actions add up. As a new season begins, why not add one new habit for the planet to your life?