Earth Day celebrates every year the anniversary of the birth, in 1970, of the environmental movement as we know it today.
Earth Day was celebrated for the first time on April 22, 1970, when U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson encouraged students to organize environmental awareness projects in their communities.
Earth Day has become a global event, acting as a lever for global environmental issues.
Earth Day has given a huge boost to awareness campaigns on reuse and recycling.
Earth Day loudly resonates with the message that citizens worldwide want swift and decisive action in favor of clean energy.
“We must learn to live in harmony with the planet that sustains us,” declared UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York. “Let’s show the world that we can get rid of carbon-emitting habits,” he added, promising a “green” renovation of the United Nations headquarters in New York.
“Together, we have renewed our commitment to passing comprehensive energy and climate legislation that will protect our planet, drive innovation, and help us stay competitive in the 21st century,” stated Barack Obama. “This won’t happen overnight,” he warned at a reception dedicated to Earth Day.
Much less observed in France, Earth Day is nevertheless celebrated through several initiatives.
– Some figures:
1/3 of the world’s food production is unused or misused
36 million people die each year from hunger or food-related issues
1.1 billion people are not adequately nourished
85% of consumption choices are made by women
