Earth Day: A Celebration of Environmental Achievement and Ecological Awareness
Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22. It honors the achievements of the environmental movement and promotes the protection of natural resources.
Observed both in the United States and worldwide during the spring equinox, Earth Day unites people of all nations.
During the 1960s, environmental activism inspired Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin. His vision was to unite activists in a national celebration. With the collaboration of Harvard student Denis Hayes, they organized the first Earth Day in 1970. This event educated 20 million people in the U.S. about environmental conservation and supported key legislation such as the Clean Air Act and the Endangered Species Act.
In 1990, Hayes led the first global Earth Day. More than 200 million people in 140 countries participated. Today, Earth Day unites global citizens and activists to take action on issues such as global warming and encourage the use of renewable energy.
The Earth Day Network (EDN) connects more than 20,000 organizations in 190 countries. It promotes a healthy and sustainable environment for all, regardless of race, gender, income or even location. EDN advances this mission through education, public policy and activism campaigns. Each year, these initiatives engage more than one billion people, making it one of the world's largest events.
Earth Day also features educational activities and conservation projects. In schools and communities, workshops on recycling and energy conservation are organized. These programs not only educate but also empower youth and adults to take concrete actions that benefit the planet.
