Earth Day

• 22 Apr 2022

Why in News?

On 22^nd April 2022, the 52^nd anniversary of Earth Day was celebrated. Earth Day is an international event celebrated around the world to pledge support for environmental protection.

• The theme for Earth Day 2022 is "Invest In our Planet".

What is Earth Day?

• Background: Earth Day was first observed in 1970 when 20 million took to the streets to protest environmental degradation on the call of US Senator Gaylord Nelson.
  • The event was triggered by the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, as well as other issues such as smog and polluted rivers.
  • In 2009, the United Nations designated 22^nd April as ‘International Mother Earth Day.
• About: Earth Day is now globally coordinated by EARTHDAY.ORG, which is a non-profit organization. It was formerly known as Earth Day Network.
  • It aims to “build the world’s largest environmental movement to drive transformative change for people and the planet”.
  • It recognizes a collective responsibility, as called for in the 1992 Rio Declaration (Earth Summit), to promote harmony with nature and the Earth to achieve a just balance among the economic, social and environmental needs of present and future generations of humanity.
  • The landmark Paris Agreement, which brings almost 200 countries together in setting a common target to reduce global greenhouse emissions, was also signed on Earth Day 2016.

What are some Other Important Days?

• 22^nd March: World Water Day
• 22^nd April: Earth Day
• 22^nd May: World Biodiversity Day
• 5^th June: World Environment Day
• Earth Overshoot Day

What is Earth Hour?

• Earth Hour is the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF)’s annual initiative that began in 2007. It is held every year on the last Saturday of March.
• It encourages people from more than 180 countries to switch off the lights from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm as per their local time.
• It seeks to raise awareness about climate change and the need to save the environment.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Q. Consider the following statements regarding ‘Earth Hour’: (2014)

1. It is an initiative of UNEP and UNESCO.
2. It is a movement in which the participants switch off the lights for one hour on a certain day every year.
3. It is a movement to raise awareness about the climate change and the need to save the planet.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (c)

Source: IE