An Earth Day Special!

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22nd, which aims to raise awareness of environmental issues and encourage people to take action to protect our planet! Pretty much music to our ears. Being one of our biggest inspirations, it first took place in 1970, after a grassroots campaign led by environment activist Denis Hayes, who was a student at Harvard University at the time.

Behind the Scenes of History!

Hayes and his colleagues had become concerned with the public's lack of understanding of the negative impact we were having on the environment. At the time the long-term consequences were still building up and little was spoken about pollution. Knowing that every action has an equal and opposite reaction, they decided that a nationwide day of education and action could help to change people's attitudes and spur individuals and governments to take more significant steps toward environmental protection!

The idea quickly caught on, and Earth Day was celebrated by millions of Americans that first year, with rallies, speeches, and other events held across the country. The focus on environmental issues quickly expanded, with a range of concerns being addressed, including air and water pollution, deforestation, and overfishing. The enthusiasm for Earth Day also quickly spread beyond the US, with celebrations now taking place in almost every country on the planet.

So, during these 53 years, what did we achieve?

The impact has been significant, both in driving public awareness of environmental issues and in shaping government policies. In the years following the first Earth Day, critical environmental legislation was passed, establishing the Environmental Protection Agency in the US, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts.

International agreements, such as the Paris Agreement on climate change, have also been established in recent years.

In addition to legislative changes, Earth Day has also led to a significant increase in environmentally-friendly practices such as recycling, composting, and using renewable energy sources. Many communities now hold annual Earth Day events which include volunteer clean-up efforts, tree planting, and educational programs for children.

Moreover, Earth Day has sparked a global movement in which people from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds come together to promote environmental sustainability. 

“If every day were Earth Day we wouldn’t be in the mess we’re in.”— Neil deGrasse Tyson

In sum, it’s a call to arms! The positive impact of this event can be seen worldwide and it continues to inspire us at Garbags to take action for a better future, investing and encouraging simple changes to lifestyles in order to reduce our environmental footprint, from our great tips to our sustainable products!

We’ll see you next week!