All you need to know about Earth Day 2022
12/4/2022
Have you heard of Earth Day? It takes place on 22 April every year and is one of the longest-running environmental awareness days. On top of that, the first event in 1970 is regarded as the birth of the modern environmental movement.
Inspired by anti-war and civil rights rallies of the 1960s, Earth Day showed that co-ordinated activism could work for getting green issues on the political agenda.
Over the last 50 years, it’s evolved from a single day of action in the US to a global week-long series of events, activism and celebrations centred around the environment and green living.
Why is the decades-old awareness day still relevant and how can we mark it in 2022? To find out, we take a look into its history as well as plans for this year’s Earth Day.
A quick history of Earth Day
An oil spill in Santa Barbara – at the time, the largest ever spill in US waters – motivated Senator Gaylord Nelson to start Earth Day in 1970. He wanted to draw people’s attention to the effects of pollution on the environment and ultimately get the issue taken seriously by the federal government.
It turned out to be a huge success. That year, rallies were held in thousands of US cities and towns – it was bigger than Nelson or any of the student volunteer organisers had anticipated.
As a result, green activism became more organised and widespread. Pressure was put on politicians to act and key pieces of legislation protecting nature and the environment were passed throughout the 1970s.
In 1990, Earth Day went global for the first time, galvanizing people from all corners of the world over green issues and bringing diversity to the movement. The Earth Day Network estimates more than 1 billion people are mobilised for action each year. A pretty cool stat.
Why we need Earth Day in 2022
It’s safe to say Earth Day’s mission of getting people to take action for the environment is still as pressing as ever – more so, in fact, than in 1970.
As the decades have passed, we’ve learnt more about issues like climate change, loss of biodiversity and plastic pollution. And we’re more aware of how the world is feeling the effects of these problems. Earth Day is a chance to raise awareness and get people talking about solutions.
Plus, living through the pandemic gave many of us a new-found appreciation of nature and an appetite to make the “new normal” a greener one. Earth Day 2022 presents the perfect opportunity to build on this momentum and explore how we move forward, locally and internationally.
As the Earth Day Network says, “a healthy planet is not an option – it is a necessity.” Ultimately, that’s why this awareness day remains an important one.
How can you mark this year’s Earth Day?
The theme for this year’s Earth Day is “Invest in our Planet”. It’s a call for everyone – businesses, governments, citizens – to pull together in partnership to create a future that’s prosperous, sustainable and equitable.
That looks like businesses embracing green innovation and ways of working; individuals using their voice and power to support planet-friendly values; and governments incentivising all of us to make sustainable choices.
So expect online events and talks for Earth Day Live to dive into approaches we can all take to protect our shared home, from environmental and social justice to biodiversity restoration.
As well as joining in with the official Earth Day activity, how else can you take action and get informed on environmentalism this week? We have a few ideas…
Research planet-friendly brands
Change can start in your shopping basket. Use this week to research brands that are proactive about protecting the planet.
Unsurprisingly, we’d suggest checking out social enterprise brands that have doing good in their DNA and put the planet above profit. Among our favourites is Gung Ho, a fashion brand whose products are not only sustainably made but draw attention to environmental issues. They have sweatshirts helping save bees, scrunchies made from offcut fabrics and more.
Read up on how educating girls and tackling climate change are linked
What has education for young girls got to do with climate change? Quite a lot, actually.
Writer Tahmina Begum explored the link between access to education, empowerment and environmentalism in a guest article for us. She delves into the knock-on positive effects of creating opportunities for marginalised women and girls, making the climate movement accessible to all and more.
It’s a great read for Earth Day, showing how social and environmental issues intersect.
Join the Fashion Revolution
Speaking of how social and environmental issues intersect, Earth Day happens in the same week as Fashion Revolution Week, which runs from 18 to 24 April 2022.
This campaign focuses on the interconnectedness of human rights and the rights of nature within the world of fashion, an industry full of pollution and exploitation. You can read a bit more about Fashion Revolution in this guest article on “How to be a fashion activist” by Lauren Bravo.
Take “The JUMP” to live greener
The JUMP is a joyous, people-led movement everyone can join in with – fitting for this year’s Earth Day theme. They’re campaigning for a two-thirds reduction in the impact of consumption in rich countries by 2030, to help avert climate breakdown.
Changes from ordinary people can make this possible. The JUMP has come up with six shifts in everyday life we can each take to set us on the right path:
- End clutter: Keep products for at least seven years.
- Travel fresh: If you can, no personal vehicles.
- Eat green: A plant-based diet – no waste, healthy amount.
- Dress retro: Three new items of clothing per year.
- Holiday local: One flight every three years.
- Change the system: At least one life shift to nudge the system.
The goal isn’t perfection – it’s all about having a go and doing what you can.
Share what you’re doing for Earth Day
Whether on social or IRL, let your circle know how you’re marking Earth Day. It could be enough to inspire others to join in, get more informed and take action too. Which is what Earth Day is all about, really.
We’d love to hear about your plans too – chat with us over on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.
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