HAPPY EARTH DAY SOUTH SUDAN!
Those who are unaware of what day this is, its importance and why it is celebrated yearly should grab themselves a copy of today’s newspaper.
Earth day is celebrated on the 22nd of April of every year globally. According to those who commemorate it, it is a time set aside to celebrate the Earth, learn about the environment, and promote conservation. The theme for this year’s event is “Invest in Our Planet.” Organizers hope to plant 7.8 billion trees during this year’s Earth Day activities.
The UN said 2019 was the second warmest year on record and 2010-2019 the warmest decade. Climate experts say that high carbon dioxide levels have been linked to warm temperatures and heat waves like what we are experiencing here in South Sudan. Below is the history and origin of Earth day.
In 1970, Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, inspired by what he had seen following a California oil spill, planned a grassroots demonstration aimed at protecting the environment. In the mode of student demonstrations, Nelson decided to hold a “teach-in” on the environment. Pete McCloskey, a Republican Congressman, was drafted as Co-chair and Harvard Professor Denis Hayes was tapped as national coordinator. Hayes picked April 22nd for the first Earth Day since it fell between Spring Break and final exams and students were available to participate.
The idea spread quickly. By the time April 22, 1970 came, more than 20 million Americans took part in Earth Day events, eventually leading to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Earth Day was first recognized worldwide in 1990 where more than 200 million people in 141 countries and by 2000, it rose to 184 with 500 million people. Today, as many as a billion people in 190 countries are believed to mark the day through rallies, tree plantings, clean-up projects or other events.
In 2009, Earth Day was officially renamed by the UN to International Mother Earth Day. On Earth Day 2012, more than 100,000 people rode bikes in China to reduce CO2 emissions and save fuel. Earth Day has its own flag. It features a picture of the Earth taken from the Apollo 17 spacecraft on its way to the Moon.