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Our planet is beautiful. It is like a museum where you can see the echoes of different eras, our past, present and future. It is contrasting and unique.
The destructive impact of man on the environment every day reaches truly incredible proportions, which can easily lead to a global catastrophe and the extinction of these beauties, if you do not start thinking about decisive measures against such consequences right now. International Earth Day 2023 aims to remind humanity of the importance of caring for our planet.
When is International Earth Day in 2023?
International Earth Day is celebrated 22 Apriland 2023 will be no exception. This is the most useful and humane holiday, which is dedicated to protecting the environment, greening the planet and promoting careful handling of nature.
history of the holiday
The founder of the holiday was a man who later received the post of Minister of Agriculture of the State of Nebraska, J. Morton. When he moved to the state in 1840, he discovered a vast territory on which mass tree cutting took place in order to build and heat housing. This sight seemed to him so sad and terrifying that Morton put forward a proposal for landscaping the area. He planned to organize an event where everyone would plant trees, and the winners of the most plantings could receive prizes. For the first time this holiday took place in 1872 and was called “Tree Day”. Thus, in one day, the inhabitants of the state planted about a million seedlings. Everyone liked the holiday and in 1882 it became official – it began to be celebrated on Morton’s birthday.
In 1970, other countries began to join the celebration. More than 20 million people around the world took part in actions dedicated to environmental protection. Only in 1990 this day received a more significant name “International Earth Day” and is still celebrated annually in different parts of the world.
Holiday traditions
International Earth Day 2023 is accompanied by public clean-up days, where young trees and flowers are planted, and the surrounding areas are cleaned. Volunteers go to city beaches and forests to collect garbage and clean up water bodies. Celebrations, environmental protection campaigns, drawing competitions are organized. City races or cycling marathons are held.
Peace Bell
One of the most interesting traditions is the ringing of the Peace Bell. It is a symbol of solidarity and friendship of peoples. Its ringing reminds us of the beauty and fragility of our planet, of the need to preserve and protect it.
The first bell was cast in Japan from coins donated by many children from different countries. It first sounded on the territory adjacent to the UN headquarters in 1954. It bears the inscription: “Long live world peace.”
Gradually, similar bells began to appear in other countries. In Our Country, it was first installed in St. Petersburg in 1988 on the territory of the park. Academician Sakharov.
Symbolism of Earth Day
The official symbol for Earth Day is the Greek letter theta. It is depicted in green on a white background. Visually, this symbol resembles a planet slightly compressed from above and below with the equator in the middle. This image was created in 1971.
Another symbol of this holiday is the so-called unofficial flag of the Earth. To do this, use a photo of our planet, taken from space on a blue background. The choice of this image is not random. It was the first picture of the Earth. To this day, it remains the most popular image.
Interesting actions in support of the Earth
Many actions are held annually to support a clean environment. Some of the most interesting of them are:
- March of the parks. In 1997, national parks and reserves of many countries joined it. This action is designed to draw attention to a more serious protection of these places and their inhabitants.
- Earth Hour. The essence of the action is that for one hour all the inhabitants of the planet turn off the lights and electrical appliances, turn off the lights on the buildings. The time is set the same for everyone.
- A day without a car. It is understood that on this day, all those who are not indifferent to the problems of the Earth should change to bicycles or walk, refusing to travel by car. By this people are trying to draw attention to the problems of air pollution with exhaust gases.