7 Great Lessons You Can Learn From Earth Day 2022

The Important History Behind Earth Day 

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1970: The Original Earth Day

After images of the 1969 Lake Erie Fire and Santa Barbara oil spill came out, 20 million Americans came together to demand a cleaner, healthier environment leading to the very first Earth Day on April 22nd, 1970.

This show of support for the planet was so incredible that this first Earth Day is credited with the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency, the passing of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act! Talk about getting things done!

1990: Earth Day Goes Worldwide

1990 was a big year for the Earth Day movement. With a shift in focus toward climate change and renewable energy, 200 million people in 141 countries came together on April 22nd in support of the planet.

Senator Gaylord Nelson, the creator of Earth Day, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and The Earth Day Special aired on ABC with a two-hour special featuring quite a famous cast. All of these events raised awareness and influenced the formation of the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

2010: A Billion Acts of Green was Launched

Now up to 192 countries celebrating, Earth Day 2010 will be most recognized for the launch of A Billion Acts of Green, the world’s largest environmental service campaign in which participants the world over were asked to just do one thing for the planet.

2016: The Signing of the Paris Agreement

Evidence of the symbolic power of the Earth Day movement, the United Nations chose April 22nd, 2016 as the day on which 175 world leaders would commit to climate action by signing the Paris Climate Agreement. This Earth Day event currently holds the record for most world leaders ever to sign an accord in a single day.

2020: Earth Day Goes Digital due to COVID-19

On its 50th anniversary, organizers were forced to get creative and shifted their energy away from in-person events turning the celebration into a massive online affair with the very first Earth Day Live virtual event ever.

2023: Invest In Our Planet

“Invest in Our Planet” is the theme of Earth Day 2023 with the goal of engaging the billions of people who participate in Earth Day. Businesses, governments, and individual people are urged to come together to create a green economy for the future.

7 Lessons To Take Away Earth Day 2022

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1. The Actions of A Few Are Affecting Many

The wealthiest countries have the largest effects on climate change. The unfortunate truth is as climate change rears its mighty head, those least responsible will be the most affected. Understand how your actions and purchasing decisions affect the lives of others.

2. Indigenous Knowledge Can Help Fight Climate Change 

For centuries, indigenous communities have occupied land in harmony with nature with the understanding that the environment is intertwined with human health and happiness. Indigenous knowledge can help us rethink how we interact with our environment and how to move forward.

3. Why The Oceans Matter

We over-fish, we pollute, we spill oil, and we continue to take from the ocean without ever giving back. We must learn to rely less on fossil fuels, use less plastic, use less water, clean up after ourselves, and protect our oceans to preserve our way of life.

4. Understanding Reforestation 

Roughly half of Earth’s tropical forests have already been cleared, taking away habitats for animals, plants, and people while also absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Reforestation can provide jobs to millions, stabilize land, prevent erosion, landslides, mudslides, natural disasters, increase soil quality, and so much more.

5. No Wildlife, No Humans

We destroy habitats, over-fish, over-hunt, burn forests, and dump trash into the oceans. Our lives would not be possible without the ecosystems that plants and animals create. They directly affect our lives by providing us with food, air, and water.

6. The Power Of Community

By addressing goals that build up the community such as equal rights, fair pay, equal representation, and more, communities can affect real change. Not only does it help to make the community a better place, but these policies and changes can work their way through local government and influence others to do the same.

7. We Cannot Prevent What We Don’t Understand

Billions of people around the world (including the U.S.) lack education about climate change and sustainable policies. The lack of education denies our future leaders, who are living in climate change, the opportunities to create solutions.

What You Can Do To Make An Impact This Earth Day

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It may seem like the actions of one won’t make a difference, but that’s far from the truth.

You have a voice.

You have buying power.

You have a community.

You’ll find that as you spend your time getting involved in organizations that help our planet you’ll find tons of amazing people doing the same.

How To Get Involved This Earth Day

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ZeroWasteStore Product Recommendations to Protect the Planet This Earth Day & Every Day

No matter if getting involved is or isn’t your thing you can still take actions like supporting companies (such as us and our partners) who create and bring you sustainable products! Incorporating sustainable products into your daily routine can help you purchase better products and reduce your waste all at the same time!