Earth Day: History, Date, Activities, Quotes, Slogan and Facts

Earth Day 2022: History, Date, Activities, Quotes, Slogan and Facts

Earth Day is about raising awareness about the importance of protecting our planet and taking action. The first Earth Day came about after a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, Gaylord Nelson, saw the devastating impact of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Not willing to sit on the sidelines anymore, Senator Nelson organized a national “teach-in” to educate and inspire people to protect the environment.

Earth Day has been celebrated around the world since 1970 by people from all walks of life who are concerned about preserving the environment.

What is Earth Day?

Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22 with events worldwide in support of the environment and to raise awareness for the environmental protection and care of our planet.

The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, is considered to be the birthday of the modern environmental protection movement. It is said that nowadays more than one billion people worldwide take part in activities on Earth Day, making it the world's most widely observed secular (non-religious) holiday.

In many communities, the Earth Day celebrations are part of Earth Week, an entire week of activities.

In 1969 peace activist John McConnell proposed to hold a day in honor of the Earth on the day of the spring equinox (around March 21, the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere). The UN adopted this idea and since 1970 celebrates equinox Earth Day every year on the day of the March equinox with the ringing of the Japanese Peace Bell. At about the same time, US Senator Gaylord Nelson, a Democratic politician famous for his environmental work, proposed to hold a teach-in about environmental issues on April 22, which developed into Earth Day. While initially only held in the United States, the idea was taken globally in 1990 by the Earth Day Network, and Earth Day is now celebrated globally every year on April 22.

History of Earth Day

Photo: brookhavencourier

The idea for Earth Day was originally born in 1969, when a US Senator named Gaylord Nelson, witnessed the effects of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, CA. He called to action all Americans to take a stand for the environment in 1970, and thousands of colleges and universities across the United States organized protests for a healthy, sustainable Earth. This included air pollution from factories and freeways, as well as the loss of habitats for animals and animal extinction. Because of these national rallies, the first Earth Day helped create the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species acts into law.

Today, we have similar concerns, and unfortunately, they are even messier than that original oil spill. Increasing natural disasters, extreme weather, and rising global temperatures may seem impossible for one human, let alone millions or even billions of humans, to slow down, or stop. It has been reported that coral reefs are dying, we see pictures of animals on land and in the ocean with trash in their bellies or around their body, and corporate factories and large companies around the world continue to pollute our air and our living spaces. But a small action, like picking up litter on the sidewalk that may have otherwise ended up around the neck of an animal or in the ocean, still makes an impact — a step in the right direction, and an important change.

Earth Day 2022 Theme

There is no official announcement about the Earth Day 2022 theme; however, it is expected to revolve around climate change. We will update it as soon as it is announced.

Earth Day 2022 Activities

Photo: mrsbremersclass

1. Reduce your carbon footprint

   Get creative with new ways to switch up your commute, or a part of your daily routine. Instead of driving to your destination, carpool with friends, take public transportation, walk, skate, scooter, or ride a bike. Depending on the weather, you may enjoy this new form of travel even more than sitting in traffic.

2. Reuse, and recycle your wardrobe

   Though it may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, your closet and your shopping habits can actually have a negative effect on our environment. By buying thrifted or gently used outfits online, new resources aren’t used to make more clothes that will eventually end up being repurposed, reused, or in a landfill. Some studies have shown that online shopping is better for the environment because it takes about 30% fewer resources to sell items online. Fire up your Amazon Prime app!

3. Switch up your diet

   Most people may know that food production accounts for one-quarter to one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, and the majority of the blame falls on the meat industry. The BBC recently reported that if the entire world became vegetarian and ate no red meat by 2050, food-related emissions would decrease by about 60%. If the world went vegan instead, emissions would decrease by around 70%. It may be time to try out the new ‘Beyond Meat’ burgers.

Earth Day 2022 Activities for the classroom

1. Connect with nature

Wouldn't it be fun to take a walk through a local park? The first and best way to celebrate Earth Day is to get outside and explore nature.

As they explore, kids can birdwatch and observe wildlife in natural habitats found throughout city parks and conservation areas.

There are countless ways to show kids how nature wakes up. In the spring, newly forming buds appear on trees. Birds chirp more often as the weather warms up. As they observe nature, kids just might develop a love for nature and our planet.

As you walk, be sure to remind students about the golden rule of nature exploring: “Take only pictures, leave only footprints.”

Speaking of which...

2. Organize an Earth Day scavenger hunt

While students are exploring nature, have their catalog what they find!

There are lots of ways to observe and record nature that doesn’t involve disturbing the environment or taking things out of it. Create a list of things for them to do and spot as they walk, including:

• Drawing pictures of flowers and plants
• Spotting birds (and identifying them if they can)
• Writing down or taking pictures of any wildlife they spot
• Collecting litter and recycling — with the proper equipment, of course

After, use the nature walk as a writing prompt or opportunity for class discussion.

3. Hang birdseed ornaments

Celebrate Earth Day and feed the birds with the help of birdseed ornaments made from supplies you can find in the kitchen!

Great for kids of all ages, birdseed ornaments give feathered friends a snack and let kids see the birds that come to visit when you hang them outside the classroom or kitchen window.

What you need:

• Straw
• Twine
• Birdseed
• Corn syrup
• Cookie cutters
• Parchment paper
• 2 packets of gelatin
• Cold and boiling water

What to do:

1. Mix the gelatin with ½ cup of cold water until it dissolves the powder.
2. Have an adult add ½ cup of boiling water to the gelatin so it dissolves.
3. Add 2 tablespoons of corn syrup and mix well.
4. Add birdseed to the gelatin mixture.
5. Spoon the birdseed mixture into cookie cutters and use parchment paper to pat the seeds into the cookie cutter.
6. Keep filling and pressing down the birdseed mixture. Be sure to leave a hole to thread twine through the ornament.
7. Place the filled cookie cutters in the fridge overnight.
8. The next day, give the birdseed ornaments a gentle push to let them fall out of the cookie-cutter mold.

Pull the twine through the holes and hang it outside for birds to enjoy!

4. Build an insect hotel

Your students can build an adorable hotel for bugs using basic materials you’ll find around the home — and recycle some trash in the process!

What you need:

• Tree bark
• Pinecones
• A large plastic bottle
• Fallen sticks and twigs
• Any other earthly elements your kids may want to add

What to do:

1. Cut the bottle into two pieces to form separated cylinders. Remove the top and bottom pieces, as we will not be using them.
2. Push holes in the top of the bottle pieces and thread twine to hang when the hotel is completed.
3. Put twigs, branches, and pine cone pieces inside each bottle. You may need to snap the twigs to shorten them. Fill the bottles.

Hang outside to allow bugs to enjoy their new home.

5. Grow a love for plants with seed jars

Students love science experiments! Involve kids in making seed jars to honor Earth Day. They'll be able to watch seeds sprout and grow into a flower or vegetable, then plant it in a garden once it’s ready.

What you need:

• Water
• Paper towels
• A clear large jar
• Seeds (nasturtium, sunflowers, peas, and beans germinate quickly)

What to do:

1. Fold paper towels and place them inside jars. Allow your students to push the paper towels down into the jar.
2. Add water slowly into the jar but do not overfill it.
3. Put seeds on the wet paper towels near the edges of the glass so kids can watch their experiments grow before their eyes!

Earth Day 2022: Quotes

Photo: pinterest