How to Take Part in Earth Day 2024: Uniting for Planet vs. Plastics

Earth Day unites millions worldwide in a celebration of environmental awareness and action.

Through diverse events and initiatives, Earth Day inspires collective action towards environmental conservation and sustainability. Read on to learn more about how we can take action to protect and heal the Earth and take responsibility for the future of the planet!

Why do we celebrate Earth Day, and when is it?

Earth Day is observed annually on April 22. Founded in 1970 with its origins in the United States, this global event underscores the urgency of protecting our planet for future generations and offers a good way for people to begin paying attention towards environmental issues if they haven’t already before.

What is happening on Earth Day 2024?

Earth Day 2024, is dedicated to the critical theme of "Planet vs. Plastics."

This year's focus underscores the urgent need to address the detrimental impact of plastics on human and planetary health. With a call to action for a 60% reduction in all plastic production by 2040, Earth Day 2024 aims to combat the pervasive threat posed by plastics to ecosystems worldwide as well as to our physical health.

Highlighting the dangers of microplastics, which even affect unborn babies, Earth Day advocates for the phase-out of single-use plastics, the establishment of a robust UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution, and an end to fast fashion practices.

Click the links above to sign the petitions for the Earth Day 2024 causes, and click here to see how you can participate in your local community.

Why is Earth Day important?

Earth Day has become a recognized global platform for raising awareness about environmental challenges such as climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts.

It is an occasion where individuals, communities, and organizations worldwide raise awareness advocating for sustainable practices and policies to protect the planet. Through accessible education and events, Earth Day fosters environmental literacy all over the world.

Did you know…

1. Up to 79% of every single piece of plastic that has ever been produced is still sitting in landfills or the environments where they have been disposed.
2. There are more microplastics in the ocean than there are stars in the Milky Way galaxy! The UN reported that an estimated 75-199 million tonnes of plastic is currently in our oceans, resulting in over 70,000 microplastics being found in the average American’s drinking water supply, according to Science Daily.
3. Within the last 50 years alone, the WWF reported a 70% decrease in population of animals all around the world as an effect of overconsumption, urbanization, and increased trading.
4. Over 650,000 marine animals are seriously injured or killed by overfishing annually, reports the Center for Biological Diversity. The WWF predicts that the number of fatal bycatch entanglements – when fish are caught in fishing gear – affects 300,000 whales, dolphins, and porpoises each year.
5. As per findings from McKinsey, amongst the 100 billion garments produced annually by the fast fashion industry, 87% are disposed of at a landfill or in an incinerator.
6. If greenhouse gas emissions resulting from food waste alone were compared to the total greenhouse gas emission rates of different countries around the world, pollution from food waste would be at around an equal amount to the overall emissions of the world’s third largest country.