The Earth Day Movement

It’s a big movement that’s been happening since 1970, specifically spotlighted on 22 April.

It’s Earth Day! (not to be confused with Earth Hour!).

👉What?

Back in 1970, 20 million Americans got into action on Earth Day. It has since turned into a global movement and a charity that mobilises people for the planet 💪

Where was industrialisation at in the 70s?

-It was the heyday of leaded petrol

-Industrial expansion started to incorporate automation

-Plastic packaging was invented

What changed?

👏One book kick-started change: Silent Spring (1962) by Rachel Carson (an ecologist before that was even a term).

This book was a warning about how the misuse of modern science was having a devastating effect on nature. It became an international best seller.

In the late 1960s, Senator Gaylord Nelson started an initiative to raise environmental awareness. He worked with university students and the help of activist Denis Hayes. And with the aim to get young people into action, Earth Day was born.

👉Evolution of Earth Day

Earth Day brought together different strands of activist groups and charities that were initially working separately for each cause.

Key highlights:

-1990 Earth Day went global (Denis Hayes got to work again!)

-2000 focused on global warming & green energy

-2010 focused on the move to green legislation

-2016 the historic Paris Agreement was signed on Earth Day

-2020: focused on global climate action & the online hub became key

-2024: Earth Day will focus on a plastic-free world – phasing out single-use-plastics & massively reduce plastic production in general

🙌What can you do?

Events will be happening globally over the next few months as part of the earth day movement(not just on 22 April!).

But mostly, look into your local eco initiatives, or do your own thing – on any day of the year.

Pick up that plastic wrapper that you see on the ground. Use your own shopping bags when you need to buy something. Or don’t not use plastic for a day or two.

❓Did you know?

Leaded petrol was invented in the early 1920s by a chemical engineer who also invented CFCs. It has since been banned for its destruction of the ozone layer.

Leaded petrol started to be phased out from the 1970s. But bans were only introduced from the latter part of the 1980s and weren’t totally banned until 2021!!

While you are here, have a look at my services to see how I can help you on your eco journey! 

Sources: Our World in Data, EarthDay, Science Museum & The Harvard Gazette

Happy weekend!