Events Earth Day 2024
April 22, 2024 - 12:00 AM
April 22 is Earth Day, a global event to promote environmental protection. Initiated by Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970, the campaign calls on individuals and communities to come together to plant trees, organize trash removal, and advocate for policies that support ecological sustainability. The foundation of Earth Day emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable lifestyles and collective action to address environmental challenges such as pollution and climate change. It also highlights humanity's shared responsibility to preserve our planet for future generations.
2024 Theme: Planet vs. Plastics
In 2024, the official theme for Earth Day is "Planet vs. Plastics." The focus on plastics is crucial because they pose serious threats to wildlife through ingestion and entanglement, contaminate our oceans and landscapes, and contribute to health problems in humans. As plastics break down into microplastics, they release toxic chemicals into our water and food sources and circulate through the air we breathe. Plastic production now has grown to more than 380 million tons per year. More plastic has been produced in the last ten years than in the entire 20th century, and the industry plans to grow explosively for the indefinite future.
Learn about how a J-WAFS student fellow and spinout company are helping to protect the Earth.