World Earth Day, 22 April 2024 | Theme, Importance & History

World Earth Day (WED) is a global event commemorated every year on the 22nd of April, honouring the achievements of various policymakers, activists and representatives from various organizations on previous goals for the last 53 years. Several awareness campaigns and activities are conducted to protect the earth’s ecosystem and its relationship with mankind.

On this day, the governing authorities, environmentalists, and nature lovers across the world join together to carry out activities with an agenda to raise public awareness with regard to the importance of protecting nature and ecosystems. The activities include but are not limited to planting trees, speaking out against the use of plastic, rallying for forest conservation, reducing paper waste etc.

World Earth Day 2024 Theme

This year 2024, the World Earth Day theme is “Planet vs. Plastics”. This theme emphasizes the necessity to raise widespread awareness about the health risks of plastics, immediately phase out all single-use plastics, instantly initiative for a strong UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution, and put an end to fast fashion.

Year-by-year themes for World Earth Day (WED):

• WED 2023 theme: Invest In Our Planet
• WED 2022 theme: Invest In Our Planet
• WED 2021 theme: Restore Our Earth
• WED 2020 theme: Climate Action
• WED 2019 theme: Protect Our Species
• WED 2018 theme: End Plastic Pollution
• WED 2017 theme: Environmental & Climate Literacy

Importance of World Earth Day (WED)

Natural disasters are growing increasingly dangerous to humanity, owing to an increase in population and global warming, leading to a change in climate and an increase in sea levels. It is more likely that in the future, mankind will be evident of numerous disasters every year that will kill thousands of people.

In 2022, many significant green policy proposals were adopted by governments all over the world. However, only a few are implementing measures to achieve Greenhouse gas (GHG) neutrality by 2050. According to the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, if additional immediate steps are not taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the earth will experience temperatures that are 3.2°C higher than pre-industrial levels, which would be disastrous for the human life.

It's the responsibility of each individual to protect the earth from natural calamities and provide a better place to live and sustain. World Earth Day signifies the importance of drafting new policies by the local environmental authorities and implementing action on existing environmental issues. In addition, WED educates the public about factors that affect the ecosystem and ways to protect earth’s flora and fauna.

History of World Earth Day (WED)

The first Earth Day was observed on April 22, 1970, and carried out by a senator, Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin, along with a young activist Denis Hayes. He was motivated to initiate the event when he witnessed the harm of the oil spill incident in 1969 and realized the need for an awareness day to enlighten the people about the importance of environmental protection.

In 1990, Earth Day was globally recognized as 20 crore people from 141 nations joined in the forces to promote recycling around the globe, laying the groundwork for the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Brazil (Rio de Janeiro). 

In 2010, EARTHDAY.ORG made Earth Day a crucial moment for people all over the world to take action for the environment. Lakhs of people from 193 countries have joined the environmental movement led by EARTHDAY.ORG. The organization has engaged more than 100 crore people annually in an Earth Day event, making it a pivotal event in the movement toward global environmental conservation.

Measures to prevent from plastic pollution

• Reducing single-use plastic consumption.
• Using reusable bags, bottles, and containers.
• Properly dispose of plastic waste, recycle whenever possible.
• Supporting initiatives promoting plastic alternatives.
• Educating others on the impact of plastic pollution.