Earth Day: What is it?

Yesterday was the 22nd of April, which is infamous for being “Earth day”. Earth day was started in the year 1970, due to the efforts of a Wisconsin senator by the name of Gaylord Nelson. 20 million Americans took the street on 22nd April 1970 and demonstrate for a clean and healthy environment. Earth day went global in the year 1990, mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries. 

The beginning of Earth day was the result of heightened environmental awareness. In the late 1960s, some the first pictures of Earth as a whole planet appeared. This was the result of the space program, which was designed to showcase national power. The pictures of Earth from space portrayed Earth as it really is: a small planet in a vast universe. Isn’t it ironical that a show of power ended up humbling the entire human civilization? 

So what do people do on Earth day? They attempt to take part in environmental conservation. Environmental awareness is spread on this day and activities are conducted to clean the environment. This year, we didn’t have school on this day. But, in previous years, the school conducted various activities including article writing, cleaning the ground, drawing programs, documentary shows and also making collages and post cards. All of this helped us increase our awareness about the environment. 

It is recommended that on Earth day, each and every one of us should plant a tree. Trees help in reducing Carbon Dioxide levels and also help in regulating the climate. If 7 billion trees are planted every year and each and every tree is well cared for, coupled with policy interventions on the part of governments to reduce usage of fossil fuels, will result in the reversal of climate change. In conclusion, spreading environmental awareness and taking part in conservation programs will help make Earth a better place. 

There are many climate change deniers out there. Whether or not one believes in man-made climate change, it is still true that increased global temperature has a detrimental impact on the human civilization. Therefore, it is the responsibility of every human being to take part in Environmental conservation and help save the Earth as a suitable habitat for humans.