What is Earth? Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the place where humans call home. 

What is Earth Day about? Earth Day marks the anniversary of people across the globe pledging support for environmental protection and taking action.

Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22 but the very first Earth Day was April 22 1970.

Earth Day 1970 would come to provide a voice to this emerging environmental consciousness, and putting environmental concerns on the front page.

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Have you ever wondered how it started? It all began when a peace activist, named John McConnell proposed at the UNESCO Conference in San Francisco in 1969 to honour Earth’s contribution to mankind. He also intended Earth Day to alert mankind about the need to preserve and renew ecological balances upon which all life on Earth depends on. At the time when priorities were focused on profits and commercialization of the American dream, the American government remained oblivious towards environmental concerns.

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The idea for a national day was initiated by Gaylord Nelson, a U.S Senator from Wisconsin after witnessing the massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California in 1969. The efforts were fruitful when thousands of colleges and universities and hundreds of communities across the United States held peaceful demonstrations to force environmental protection onto the national political agenda. 

Today, we celebrate Earth Day because we believe in reforestation, protecting the endangered species and reducing our carbon footprint. Learning about the environment is always the first step to preserving it. 

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Earth is a living thing because it was designed to create and provide for us. In Malaysia, the celebration of Earth Day has added significance. The Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources of Malaysia launched the National Policy on Biological Diversity 2016 - 2025, which spells out Malaysia’s commitment to promote the sustainable use of the nation’s biological diversity as well as ensure fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of biological resources. 

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In 1990, Earth Day was observed by some 200 million people in more than 140 countries. Since then, it has been international in scope. By the early 21st century, Earth Day’s many activities included raising awareness about a number of growing environmental concerns, especially the threat of global warming and the need for clean renewable energy sources.

Apart from international initiatives and programs for environmental protection, we can do our part locally at home and within our community. Taking up in activities such as planting a tree, planting a vegetable garden, doing a nature walk, hosting a drive to collect e-waste, picking up trash around the neighbourhood, leading an art project on Earth Day, having a no TV day, starting a compost bin, switching to energy-saving light bulbs, using recycled bags and using earth-friendly cleaning products. 

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Every steps counts, even if they are small simple steps. Perhaps, a single effort may seem small, but if millions of us are united towards nature conservation, then we can save Earth from destruction, one step at a time.

So, start showing your love and support for our planet and spread the word around by sending FaveKad’s Earth Day ecards today!