Earth is home to 8 billion people, 300,000 plant species, about 10 million animal species, and over 600,000 types of fungi. It is also the only planet in our galaxy that can support life. For this reason, it is extremely important that we take good care of it. Climate change is one of the biggest threats of our lifetime and we need to do whatever we can to reverse it. Earth Day reminds us of what is threatening our planet but also how we can all do our part to help and support the environment. Here are 5 interesting facts about Earth Day for kids.
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It was inspired by protests during the Vietnam War. At that time, very harmful human activities such as oil spills, the uncontrolled use of pesticides, and deadly smog, were a daily occurrence. Because of this, people wanted to take action to stop activities that were so bad for our environment.
Despite being celebrated almost exclusively in the United States for almost 20 years, Earth Day has now become an internationally recognised day. Every year, celebrations bring together more than one billion people across the world.
The date was chosen on purpose to encourage more college students to join celebrations and protests on this day, as it fell exactly between spring break and final exams. On April 22 of every year, rallies, concerts, and outdoor activities are organised worldwide.
The first edition of Earth Day led to the adoption of very important environmental laws in the United States, including the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts. On April 22, 2011, 28 million trees were planted in Afghanistan to bring green areas back to life that were destroyed during the country’s long conflict. And in 2016, the United Nations chose Earth Day to sign the famous Paris Agreement.
Every edition of Earth Day has a different theme. This year, it focuses on the importance of working together and investing our resources and energy to help our planet. When we safeguard the Earth, we not only protect our health, our families, and our livelihoods but we also help preserve very important ecosystems.
How You Can Celebrate Earth Day
Don’t forget that our planet is the most important resource we have. This Earth Day, join millions of people around the world in doing something meaningful for our world. For example, you can learn how to compost or how to grow your own little plant. You can also pick up a piece of plastic that you find outside, and if you want to do more, you can check out what is happening in your city on the Earth Day website!
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Martina is an Italian journalist and editor living in Hong Kong with experience in climate change reporting and sustainability. She is currently the Managing Editor at Earth.Org and Kids.Earth.Org. She holds two BA degrees, in Translation/Interpreting Studies and Journalism, and an MA in International Development from the University of Vienna. Before moving to Asia, she worked in Vienna at the United Nations Global Communication Department and in Italy as a reporter for a local newspaper.
