Earth Day

Earth Day Quick Facts - US

ℹ HashtagsCompiled on16:25	#EarthDay, #EarthDay2023
Related Hashtags	#InvestInOurPlanet, #Sustainability
2023 Date	April 22, 2023
2024 Date	April 22, 2024

2023 Holidays & Dates

		US & Common Holidays
		Misc. & Int'l. Observancesℹ
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Earth Day in 2023

Saturday, Apr 22

Days to go:

Earth Day History

Earth Day seeks to highlight and promote efforts dedicated to the protection of the environment. As we enter the 21st century, we face many environmental crises including global warming, deforestation, endangered wildlife, shortages of potable water, and widespread pollution. These crises negatively affect our planet’s resources, and they pose serious risk to our long-term lifestyles and health.

In 1970, a US Senator named Gaylord Nelson was inspired to raise public awareness about environmental problems. He campaigned across the nation with the hopes of gathering public support. He hoped to have environmental protection included in the national political agenda. His efforts were rewarded later in July of 1970 when the United States Environmental Protection Agency was created. With it the came the passing of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.

Today, Earth Day is celebrated by billions of people around the world and is observed in over 190 countries. Worldwide, Earth Day celebrations utilize educational programs to inform people of ways that can help protect the environment and its natural resources. It is observed annually on April 22nd.

Top Tweets for Earth Day -

Updated 16:20

Happy Earth Day, Earthlings https://t.co/I8ivMuC4Ev
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 22, 2022

Taking photos every ~15 minutes on 3/21, the DSCOVR satellite gave us this beautiful view of 24hrs on Earth. Yet each day, we pump another 162M tons of GHG pollution into our atmosphere. While that is sadly still true on this #EarthDay, we must commit to building a better future. https://t.co/f5bV4kGFGV
— Al Gore (@algore) April 22, 2022

Happy Earth Day from me and the mom lady. Let's do our best to take care of it, okay? https://t.co/OXXfrx2Fzp
— Lorenzo The Cat (@LorenzoTheCat) April 22, 2022

Earth Day Facts & Quotes

The theme for Earth Day in 2023 is Invest in Our Planet.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, it is estimated that in 2023, US CO2 emissions will have reached 4,971 million metric tons (MMmt). This is less than the amount emitted in 2019: 5,144 MMmt and 2007: 6,016 MMmt.
During the 2015 UN Conference in Paris, France, participating nations concurred on the need for action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The countries cooperatively pledged to keep global temperature rise below 2C (3.6F). In celebration of Earth Day 2016 on April 22nd, the landmark agreement that testifies to this global commitment was signed at the UN Headquarters in New York by 175 participating nations. The history of Earth Day 2017 dates back to 1970 when it was first celebrated in 1970. It was founded by US Senator Gaylord Nelson to promote ecology and the respect for life on the planet as well as to encourage awareness of the growing problems of air, water, and soil pollution.
In the past 50 years, humans have consumed more resources than in all previous history - U.S. EPA, 2009, Sustainable Materials Management: The Road Ahead.
We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children - Native American Proverb
Suburbia is where the developer bulldozes out the trees, then names the streets after them - Bill Vaughan

In the News and Trending for Earth Day

Updated 16:20 The 7: Our planet this Earth Day; what McCarthy said about pushing Trump to resign; Florida’s fight with Disney; and more

washingtonpost.com

FACT SHEET: President Biden Signs Executive Order to Strengthen America's Forests, Boost Wildfire Resilience, and Combat Global Deforestation

whitehouse.gov

Climate Rallies Planned for White House and Across U.S.

nytimes.com

Celebrate Our Ocean This Earth Day

oceanconservancy.org

Earth Day Top Events and Things to Do

Organize a group of volunteers to help clean up and restore a green space. Some suggestions include planting trees and adding waste receptacles.
Try not to use your car for the entire day. Instead, use public transit, walk, or ride your bicycle.
Change your traditional incandescent light bulbs to energy saving LED or CFL light bulbs.
Watch a documentary or movie that touches on an ecological issue. Our favorites are: An Inconvenient Truth (2006), the Burning Season (1993, 2008), Elemental (2012) and The Day after Tomorrow (2004).
Read one of many books that relate to environmental issues such as, The World Without Us (Alan Weisman), Hell and High Water (Joseph Romm) and Natural Capitalism (Hawken, Lovins and Lovins)