EARTH DAY 2024 (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recently Google Doodle celebrated World Earth Day 2024 by featuring aerial photographs from various locations worldwide, highlighting the planet's “natural beauty”.

Earth Day 2024

• About: It  was first celebrated in 1970, initiated by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, as an environmental activism initiative.
• Inspired by: Vietnam War protesters Gaylord Nelson, who noticed that everyone was protesting against the war and not talking about the environmental impact of the war, so he decided to start speaking about environmental issues.
• Purpose: The event aimed to educate people about environmental issues and ways to conserve, strengthening the call for environmental activism.
• Legal Impact: The first Earth Day led to the introduction of significant environmental legislation, including the Clean Air Act and the Endangered Species Act.
• Global Expansion: In 1990, Denis Hayes organized the first global Earth Day, with over 200 million people from more than 140 countries participating.

oAt the present time, Earth Day is celebrated across 190 countries.

• Theme 2024: Planet vs. Plastics.

Significance

• Earth Day symbolizes the need to protect our mother nature.
• The day encourages every individual to think about environmental conservation and act accordingly.
• Earth Day speaks about the need to reduce carbon footprints.
• It advocates for the conservation of natural resources.
• Protection of Wildlife and Natural Habitats
• The day serves as a platform to advocate for policy changes that can have a positive impact on the environment.