As the climate crisis becomes ever more serious, each Earth Day that comes along takes on extra significance. Established in 1970 in the US, the annual event brings together millions of people from around the world in support of the environment, highlighting the urgent action we need to take to save our planet.
Earth Day 2023 comes after yet another report from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in March, which was described as a “final warning” from scientists. Experts said the current action being taken to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels is “insufficient”, while suggesting that we may actually exceed the 1.5 degrees limit set out by the Paris Agreement by the 2030s, if we carry on as we are. Still, scientists were clear that it’s not too late to take action, and that we have all the solutions needed to “secure a liveable, sustainable future for all”.
That’s why it’s more important than ever that Earth Day is seen as a rallying cry for real action on the climate crisis. Want to ensure that you play your part? Here’s everything you need to know.
A banner at the inaugural Earth Day held on April 22 1970, New York City.
Photo: Archive Photos via Getty Images
What is Earth Day?
Marked by millions around the world, Earth Day is an annual event designed to shine a light on the serious environmental problems we’re facing, from the climate crisis to air pollution and deforestation.
When is Earth Day 2023?
Earth Day takes place on 22 April every year but the entire month of April (sometimes called Earth Month) – and especially the week running up to Earth Day (sometimes called Earth Week) – is a time when environmental issues take centre stage.
Why is Earth Day on 22 April?
Earth Day was the brainchild of US senator and environmentalist Gaylord Nelson, following a 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. He came up with the idea of having college teach-ins to highlight the importance of clean air and water, with 22 April chosen as a convenient date between Spring Break and finals.
Organisers decided to name the date Earth Day, with the first event in 1970 leading to an astonishing 20 million people across the US taking to the streets – around 10 per cent of the country’s population at the time. The event undoubtedly had a major impact, with President Richard Nixon creating the Environmental Protection Agency just months later in December 1970, as well as signing the Clean Air Act.
Earth Day later became an international campaign in 1990, when environmental activists asked one of the original organisers, Denis Hayes, to help create another event to spotlight the ecological challenges facing our planet.
Crowds of young men and women sit in a park during celebrations for Earth Day, circa 1970.
Photo: Lambert via Getty Images
What is the Earth Day 2023 theme?
The theme for Earth Day 2023 is Invest In Our Planet, continuing on the same theme from 2022. It’s a call for governments, businesses and individuals to invest in a better future for the planet. “Governments can pass regulations, they can promote [a] green economy. We need to invest in innovators and innovation, but we need to do it the right way,” Kathleen Rogers, president of Earthday.org, explained. “[For] individuals it’s about investing your personal time, your political vote, investing in your community, investing your money into going green.”
How can you celebrate Earth Day?
There are thousands of events taking place around the world this Earth Day. You can find out what’s happening near you via this map, or even organise your own event. Earth Day organisers have put together a number of ideas for celebrating Earth Day via its handy action toolkit, from tree planting to taking part in The Great Global Cleanup campaign. Other suggestions include tackling plastic pollution, registering to vote and learning more about sustainable fashion.
What else can you do to help the planet?
Of course, at Vogue we believe that every day should be Earth Day, so it’s vital that we continue to take action throughout the whole year. If you want to find out more about the challenges we’re facing, here are the books to read, the documentaries to watch and the activists to follow.
Beyond that, here are some other ways you can live more sustainably, including making more eco-friendly fashion choices, switching to renewable energy, flying less and eating less meat, fish and dairy. You can also join a local campaign group, write to your politicians and donate to environmental charities such as Greenpeace, 350.org and Rainforest Alliance.
Editor
Emily ChanCredit
Lead image: Craig McDean
