April 22 is Earth Day! This annual celebration is an opportunity to raise awareness and advocate for change around the issues most impacting our planet — and celebrate the beauty of Mother Earth.
5 Facts About Earth Day
- Earth Day was started by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970 to promote environmental policies on a national scale.
- Following the first Earth Day, Congress authorized the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Earth Day also led to the passage of the Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts.
- In 1990, Earth Day went global and mobilized 141 countries to participate in protecting the environment.
- The date April 22nd was chosen for Earth Day to maximize the number of university (and K-12) students that could participate in celebrating the holiday.
What Can We Do to Help?
Volunteer
Connect with people in your existing local gardens, plant your own small patch of vegetables, or assist in food distribution and urban landscaping projects.
There are plenty of ways to get involved! Whether you’re a soil genius, or a skilled marketer who can spread the word about fresh produce, you can play a part in building a regenerative agriculture system right in your own backyard.
Clean up litter in your community.
Cleaning up litter in your community is a small but mighty way to volunteer your time for th sake of the planet.
Register for a cleanup kit from Keep America Beautiful and track your cleanup progress with the Clean Planet Project app, too!
Restore nature in your area.
There are so many opportunities to get involved in nature conservation, no matter where you live. Plant trees and native plants, help restore wildlife habitats, and team up with local experts to keep your community in harmony with nature and wildlife.
You can visit The Nature Conservancy’s volunteer guide to find various volunteer opportunities near you.
Take Action
Make small lifestyle changes that benefit the planet.
Nobody can be completely “zero waste,” but that doesn’t mean simple lifestyle or sustainability changes are unimportant! Even a few small changes can make a big difference. Here are a handful you can consider starting this Earth Day:
- Make energy-efficient home swaps.
- Choose seasonal produce next time you get groceries.
- Try to buy — and waste — less. And if you do need something, consider investing in mindful eco-friendly (or pre-loved!) products.
- Compost your food scraps.
- Consider going meatless on Mondays.
- Commit to going a year without using plastic water bottles.
- Switch to paperless billing.
As you begin to find small ways to be more environmentally conscious in your everyday life, you’ll likely find more ways to create an even bigger positive impact over time. Let Earth Day be the start of a new personal trend.
Shop sustainably.
Sometimes even our most beloved essentials reach the end of their life cycle, and you want to be intentional when you buy something new. A big tip when making an eco-conscious purchase? Know how to spot greenwashing (and avoid it), look for sustainable materials and sourcing, and lean toward brands with certifications keeping them accountable, like Climate Neutral, B Corp, or 1% for the Planet!
Celebrate
Attend an Earth Day event.
Being in community with other climate activists and Earth-lovers is the best way to spend Earth Day. And the best part? There are so many Earth Day events around the globe!
Check out the official Earth Day website for a map of events, or check listings on Eventbrite and Facebook to find cleanups, seminars, celebrations, and more near you.
Go car-free for the day (and then see if you can keep it up).
While you’re around town at events and clothing swaps, see if you can carpool, take public transit, or ride your bike!
There are plenty of ways to live without a car, and even if you just give it a go for one day, you might see that it’s a lifestyle shift you want to seriously consider.
Visit a local farmer’s market.
Boost your local agriculture economy! By late April, most major cities will certainly have farmer’s markets open and thriving, so Earth Day gives you the perfect excuse to source some in-season produce from your local growers.
If you’re not able to find a big market, definitely use the Farmstand app to find roadside farm stands to shop, too.
Visit a national park.
A visit to a national park is an opportunity to enjoy nature, protect the planet, and celebrate time with friends, family, and fellow park-goers. Of course, make sure you take good care of your public lands when you visit!
Spend time in nature.
The easiest way to celebrate this special day is by spending time in the great outdoors. Take a picnic to a local park, swing in a hammock (responsibly), go on a hike, or even pogo-stick to your heart’s content.
Whichever way you choose to breathe in the fresh air, nature is calling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we celebrate Earth Day?
Millions of people around the world celebrate and recognize Earth Day as a means to both advocate for and protect the planet and its resources. Earth Day puts a collective global focus on celebrating and preserving the earth’s beauty for decades and centuries to come.
What is the theme for Earth Day 2023?
The theme for Earth Day 2023 is “Invest In Our Planet.” This year’s theme focuses on engaging governments, institutions, businesses, and the more than 1 billion citizens who participate annually in Earth Day to do their part — “everyone accounted for, everyone accountable.”
What was the theme for Earth Day 2022?
The theme for Earth Day 2022 was also “Invest In Our Planet.” The theme called on people around the world to recognize our collective responsibility to protect and preserve the planet and “to help accelerate the transition to an equitable, prosperous green economy for all.”
Which president started Earth Day?
Earth Day was started by Senator Gaylord Nelson in the spring of 1970 to bring environmental issues to the national agenda. President Richard Nixon was the first to celebrate Earth Day the following year and signed a proclamation for Earth Week, as well.
When is Earth Day?
Earth Day is held every year on the same day, April 22. This year, Earth Day is on Saturday, April 22, 2023.
When is Earth Week?
Earth Week is celebrated the week leading up to Earth Day. This year, Earth Week is held from Sunday, April 16 to Saturday, April 22, 2023.
