Context

World Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22nd to support environmental conservation efforts. 

• World Earth Day, also known as International Mother Earth Day, is a globally recognised event dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the sustainability of our planet.

About World Earth Day 2024

• World Earth Day 2024 Theme: The theme for Earth Day 2024 is “Planet vs. Plastics .” 
  • This theme emphasizes the need for collective action to repair and heal the planet’s ecosystems, combat climate change, and preserve biodiversity.
• Significance: World Earth Day holds significance as a global initiative to raise awareness about environmental issues and inspire action. 
• It serves as a reminder that everyone has a shared responsibility for the health of the planet and that corporations, governments, communities, and individuals must work together to achieve this goal.

Origin of World Earth Day

• Background: The concept of World Earth Day can be traced back to the late 1960s, which saw a surge in public debate over environmental issues.
  • Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring (1962) and the Santa Barbara oil spill (1969) raised awareness about environmental destruction.

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• Acceptance of Idea: However, it was first accepted in the USA when the UN officially acknowledged it in 1972 after peace activist John McConnell proposed the idea of celebrating a day in honor of the Earth and peace.
  • It began from Gaylord Nelson, a US senator, who sought to infuse the energy of student anti-war protests with an emerging public consciousness about air and water pollution” during this time. 
  • He recruited activist Denis Hayes to organize campus teach-ins and scale the idea to a broader public. 
  • The duo chose April 22 as the date — then a weekday falling between Spring Break and Final Exams to maximize student participation.

Goals Laid for Environment Protection on World Earth Day 2024

• Reducing Plastic Production: On this World Earth Day 2024, EARTHDAY.ORG renewed its commitment aiming for a 60% reduction in plastic production by 2040 to safeguard both human and planetary health. For this, it has outlined several key objectives:
• Raising Awareness: The campaign prioritizes spreading awareness about the detrimental effects of plastic on human and environmental health. 
  • It calls for increased research into the health implications of plastic exposure and advocates for transparency in sharing findings with the public.
• Phasing Out Single-Use Plastics: It aims to rapidly eliminate single-use plastics by 2030. 
  • It seeks to embed this commitment within the United Nations Treaty on Plastic Pollution by 2024, ensuring global cooperation in tackling this pressing issue.
• Investing in Innovation: It emphasizes the importance of investing in innovative technologies and materials to pave the way for a plastic-free world.

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