The progress of climate action over the past 53 years, since the observation of the first Earth Day on 22 April 1970.
By Nowrin Nahar Tushi
Earth Day is observed every year on 22 April when more than a billion people recognise the importance of modifying human behaviour to bring about changes to global, national, and local environmental policies. The need for increased efforts for a cleaner environment grows more urgent every day as the consequences of global warming continue to deteriorate. Earth Day is a movement that aims to address a set of issues by working together on climate change, advocacy, conservation, energy, education, food and agriculture, green schools, green economy, recycling and waste reduction, and sustainable development. Millions of participants volunteer to make their communities better. Any consistent environmentally-conscious action, whether it be as simple as picking up trash or planting trees, can contribute to the long-term benefit of the planet. The end goal is to care for the environment so future generations continue benefiting from natural resources.
Nelson planned the inaugural Earth Day on 22 April 1970 with the assistance of Denis Hayes to enlighten attendees about the need for conservation efforts. More than 20 million people across the United States attended the event.
The History of Earth Day
The Earth Day movement was started by an American politician and environmentalist, Gaylord Nelson. In 1969, he saw the environmental repercussions of a large oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, and the impact it had on residents. The anti-war movement was strong among the youth back then, and Nelson combined its momentum with the growing public concern about pollution. Nelson planned the inaugural Earth Day on 22 April 1970 with the assistance of Denis Hayes to enlighten attendees about the need for conservation efforts. More than 20 million people across the United States attended the event. Organisations that had been fighting their own separate battles to oppose oil spills, polluted industries, hydroelectric dams, raw sewage, chemical dumps, herbicides, freeways, the erosion of wilderness, and the extermination of species, gathered forces around these ideals. Republicans and Democrats, wealthy and impoverished, city people and peasants, corporates and labour leaders all endorsed Earth Day, achieving a remarkable political coalition.
By the end of 1970, the inaugural Earth Day had spurred the establishment of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as the enactment of numerous other groundbreaking environmental legislations. This legislation included the Clean Air Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and the National Environmental Education Act. Further legislation was quickly enacted to safeguard water quality and endangered species and to regulate the use of dangerous chemicals and pesticides.
As Earth Day 1990 drew near, a group of environmentalists contacted Denis Hayes to arrange another significant campaign amassing 200 million individuals, bringing environmental concerns to the fore of global affairs.
As Earth Day 1990 drew near, a group of environmentalists contacted Denis Hayes to arrange another significant campaign amassing 200 million individuals, bringing environmental concerns to the fore of global affairs. In the same year, at the UN Convention on Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Rio Declaration was established with 15 principles acknowledging the impact caused by human actions on ecology with commitments from attendees to achieve sustainability objectives. Within seven years, the UN Kyoto Protocol was ratified, establishing global obligations to cut greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to establishing the correlation between human involvement and environmental degradation, the Kyoto Protocol obligated members to cut emissions of greenhouse gasses. In 2015, a new convention was introduced named the Paris Agreement with the agenda of sustainable development.
The Impact of Earth Day
The movement has both directly and indirectly spurred a series of developments across a wide range of industries. Over the last 53 years, since the first time Earth Day was observed, several acts have been enacted. The Clean Air Act, enacted in 1970, limits hazardous greenhouse gas emissions. In the same year, the Environmental Protection Agency was founded, which is often regarded as America’s greatest environmental accomplishment. In 1972, The Clean Water Act was enacted which was the first statute to provide standards for US waters. The Ocean Conservancy group, also founded in 1972, has made tremendous strides in preventing ocean degradation. It is among the few organizations that solely focus on marine life. In 1985, Patagonia pledged to contribute 1% of its revenues to the restoration and repair of its local habitat. In 1987, The Montreal Protocol was ratified with the primary goal of eliminating the use of CFC gases. This action has been one of the most significant factors in stopping the erosion of the ozone layer. Scientists project that the Ozone layer will be completely healed by the end of the 2060s. In 1988, The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was established to give policymakers up-to-date data and information on climate change. The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) was founded in 1993 which has motivated manufacturers around the world to seek LEED certifications issued by the council, awarded to buildings that are built from the ground up with sustainability at their core. The transportation industry made a huge leap in 1997 when Toyota first announced its hybrid car, the Prius. Carrying that momentum, in 2003, Tesla made the first-ever successful production electric vehicle with zero emissions. In 2015, at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) 175 parties signed the Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty aimed at limiting global temperature rise. As of 2023, 194 parties have joined the Paris Agreement. The most recent globally significant effort was marked on 1 January 2016, when the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development officially came into force.
Nations have realised the imperative necessity to address climate concerns and the importance of collective efforts to battle climate change. So, each year, the United Nations holds a summit where heads of state from around the world attend to discuss policies and interventions to mitigate climate change.
Earth Summit
Nations have realised the imperative necessity to address climate concerns and the importance of collective efforts to battle climate change. So, each year, the United Nations holds a summit where heads of state from around the world attend to discuss policies and interventions to mitigate climate change. The most significant outcomes of the Earth Summit have been the Rio Summit, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.
Rio Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992. One of the most influential outcomes of the Rio Summit was Agenda 21, a non-binding action plan of the United Nations with regard to sustainable development. The Summit also brought 197 together to focus their efforts towards constructing a future that prevents, eliminates, and restores desertification or land deterioration, and reduces the consequences of drought in afflicted regions throughout all levels. Notwithstanding the fact that it is a non-binding document, it is extremely important in carrying out the summit’s objectives. The environment is now protected from invasion and devastation thanks to the numerous substantial contributions made during this summit.
A recent and enforceable international agreement on climate change known as the Paris Agreement was ratified in 2015. The primary objective of this agreement is to reduce the volume of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere to a level that will not exceed the 2-degree Celsius limit for this century while pursuing a 1.5-degree increase.
The Kyoto Protocol was signed on December 11, 1997. Following a drawn-out ratification procedure, it became effective on February 16, 2005. There are now 192 signatories to the Kyoto Protocol. This protocol essentially launches the UNFCCC by integrating industrialised nations and economies in transition in limiting and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line with agreed individual objectives of up to a 5% reduction in emissions compared to 1990 levels. This set of regulations is legally binding and only applies to the 37 nations that are principal emitters of carbon dioxide, but not other gases. Unfortunately, it was less effective in exerting sufficient efforts in addressing climate change and there was less engagement from nations, particularly those that are accountable for massive carbon emissions.
A recent and enforceable international agreement on climate change known as the Paris Agreement was ratified in 2015. The primary objective of this agreement is to reduce the volume of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere to a level that will not exceed the 2-degree Celsius limit for this century while pursuing a 1.5-degree increase. This agreement establishes a framework for the continuous monitoring, reporting, and intensifying of countries’ individual and collective climate objectives. It also stipulates that developed countries would aid developing countries in their efforts to mitigate climate change and adapt to it. This accord places emphasis on the idea that global action is the only way to reduce global warming. As a result, all of the provisions in this agreement are much more direct on the nations to take appropriate actions to counteract negative climate change. Assisting developing countries by developed countries represents an extremely distinctive alteration in the framework for which the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has so far not succeeded in achieving the aims of combatting climate change.
Earth Day 2023
There is a key subject for Earth Day every year, highlighting a fresh emphasis on specific environmental issues. Previous motifs have included ‘Water for Life,’ ‘Healthy Environments for Children,’ ‘The Face of Climate Change,’ ‘Trees for Earth,’ and ‘Stop Plastic Pollution. ‘Invest in Our Earth’ is the focus for 2023. This motif seeks to persuade corporations, governments, and people all around the world to contribute to our planet in order to enhance our environment and provide a healthier and more secure future for our offspring. Saving mankind from climatic catastrophe and establishing green industries for everybody must also be accomplished during this economic revolution.
