Earth: Observing World Earth Day: Origin, celebrations and Earth Hour | India News – Times of India

World Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22nd to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote global efforts to protect the Earth’s natural resources. The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970, and since then it has become a global movement with millions of people participating in various events, activities and campaigns to show their support for environmental protection and sustainability.
History
The first World Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970, in the United States. It was organized by a group of environmental activists led by Senator Gaylord Nelson, who was concerned about the negative impact of industrialization and pollution on the environment.
Senator Nelson wanted to create a national day of environmental education and awareness that would mobilize people across the country to take action to protect the planet. He chose April 22 as the date for the event because it fell between spring break and final exams, making it an ideal time for students to get involved.
The first Earth Day was a huge success, with millions of people across the United States participating in rallies, marches, and other events to raise awareness about environmental issues. It led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the passage of several landmark environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.
Today, World Earth Day is celebrated around the world, with millions of people taking part in various activities and events to promote environmental protection and sustainability. It has become a global movement that continues to inspire people to take action to protect the planet and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
Celebrations
The theme for World Earth Day changes every year and is chosen based on current environmental challenges and issues that need to be addressed. Some of the common themes for World Earth Day include climate change, air pollution, water conservation, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, and plastic pollution.
To celebrate World Earth Day, people around the world take part in a variety of activities such as planting trees, cleaning up litter, promoting recycling, reducing their carbon footprint, and raising awareness about environmental issues. It is a time for individuals, communities, and organizations to come together and take action towards protecting our planet and creating a more sustainable future.
Earth Hour
Many people around the world celebrate World Earth Day by participating in the Earth Hour movement.
Earth Hour is a global movement organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) that encourages individuals, businesses, and governments around the world to turn off non-essential lights for one hour as a symbolic gesture of their commitment to the planet.
Earth Hour was first observed in Sydney, Australia, in 2007, and has since become a global event that takes place annually on the last Saturday in March, usually between 8:30-9:30 pm local time. During Earth Hour, participants are encouraged to turn off non-essential lights in their homes, offices, and public spaces for one hour to raise awareness about the need to take action on climate change and other environmental issues. The event is not just about reducing energy consumption but also about creating a symbolic moment that inspires people to take action to protect the environment.
Participating in Earth Hour can be a simple way to show your commitment to protecting the environment and promoting sustainable living. It also provides an opportunity to start a conversation with family, friends, and colleagues about the importance of reducing energy consumption and promoting renewable energy sources.
Earth Hour has grown to become the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment, with millions of people participating in over 180 countries. In addition to turning off non-essential lights, participants are also encouraged to take other actions to reduce their carbon footprint, such as using public transportation, reducing water usage, and promoting the use of renewable energy sources.
Earth Hour is not just about reducing energy consumption for one hour but also about inspiring people to take action to protect the environment and promote sustainability. The event provides a platform for people to come together and raise awareness about environmental issues and the need for global action to address them.