By Evelyn G11

Earth Day, held annually on April 22 is an international event to demonstrate support for the environment’s protection. The event reminds us of the importance of saving our environment and inspires us to unite for a better future on our planet. The 50-year-old event has dedicated this year’s Earth Day to the theme; Planet vs. Plastics. The theme reminds us of the damage plastic has caused not only to ecosystems worldwide but the harm it does to our bodies as well. EarthDay.org, the organizers of the yearly event, has called for a 60% reduction in plastic production by 2040, and eliminating all single-use plastics by the end of the decade. 

Earth Day was developed in 1970 in the USA as a call to action to protect the environment from harm. It was a success, on its first implementation 20 million (“Our History”) people across the nation participated. By 1990 the event went international with 200 million participating people across over 130 countries.

Ways You Can Make A Difference

• Reduce, reuse, recycle;
• Reduce consumption of plastics;
• Donate;
• Clean up your neighborhood;
• Plant local plants ;
• And many others;

Don’t take the earth for granted, celebrate what we have. 

Works Cited

• Chias, Jordi. An old plastic fishing net snares a loggerhead turtle in the Mediterranean off Spain. The turtle could stretch its neck above water to breathe but would have died had the photographer not freed it. “Ghostfishing” by derelict gear is a big threat to sea turtles. National Geographic, http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/article/ plastic-planet-animals-wildlife-impact-waste-pollution. Accessed 21 Apr. 2024.
• “Our History.” Earth Day, http://www.earthday.org/history/. Accessed 21 Apr. 2024.