Earth Day 2023: Why Is Earth Day Celebrated, Theme For The Year

April 22 marks Earth Day, an annual event to show our support for the environment. With people becoming more conscious about the climate, Earth Day holds a lot of significance this year. Earth Day is celebrated with utmost zeal across the country with activities like planting trees and picking up litter among others. However, not everyone is aware of the history of Earth Day.

Earth Day History

Earth Day was first celebrated in the year 1970 as an environmental movement. The origin of the day dates back to the year Americans were consuming large amounts of leaded gas through automobiles. Industry smoke too contributed to the pollution. Little did the US know about the consequences. In 1969, at a UNESCO conference in San Francisco, McConnell, a peace activist, proposed to honour the Earth. The first Earth Day revolved around the United States. Going forward, the day was taken internationally and is celebrated by organising events to create awareness about Earth Day. It is held in about 141 nations.

Earth Day Significance

Years later today, Earth Day continues to hold a lot of importance as the fight for a cleaner, the safer environment continues. For India, the latest climate assessment by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated that the climate crisis is accelerating like never before. The analysis also talked about the five biggest environmental issues of the country - air pollution, water pollution, waste management, biodiversity loss, food and water shortages.

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Earth Day 2023 Theme

Every year, global Earth Day organiser, EarthDay.org announces a theme for the year. For 2023, the theme for Earth Day is 'Invest In Our Planet'. The theme would be a continuation of the 2022 campaign. The theme is designed to influence people, governments and businesses across the world to work towards giving this planet a better and safer future. President of Earthday.org, Kathleen Rogers in an interview said, “In 2023 we must come together again in partnership for the planet. Businesses, governments, and civil society are equally responsible for taking action against the climate crisis and lighting the spark to accelerate change toward a green, prosperous, and equitable future. We must join together in our fight for the green revolution, and for the health of future generations. The time is now to Invest In Our Planet.”

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Ways You Can Celebrate Earth Day

Plant Trees

Connect with nature this Earth Day by planting trees. Trees help prevent climate change, absorb carbon dioxide and provide habitat for wildlife. The easiest way to give back to nature.

Reduce Waste

To do your bit this Earth Day, start reducing waste. Begin with investing in reusable bags, bottles and other essentials. Stop using single-use plastics and buy fewer package products. (Ways to adapt sustainability)

Clean Up Litter

Another way to celebrate Earth Day is by taking up a cleaning-up drive. Get together with your friends and family and start picking up trash in your community.