April 22 is Earth Day. The 2024 theme is “Planet vs. Plastics,” highlighting the urgent need to address the plastic pollution crisis. This year’s theme is a call to action, urging individuals, businesses and governments to commit to significant reductions in plastic production and waste for the health of the planet.
The History of Earth Day
Earth Day was established in 1970 to raise awareness about environmental issues. Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin came up with the idea for the observance in 1969 after witnessing the ravages of a mass oil spill in Santa Barbara, CA.
Nelson enlisted the help of activist Denis Hayes to coordinate educational events across college campuses and expand the initiative to a wider audience. They strategically selected April 22 for these events, a date set between Spring Break and final exams, to ensure maximum student participation.
