April 22 will mark the 50th anniversary of World Earth Day. A movement that began in 1970 with the aim of raising people's awareness of environmental issues and which, after 50 years, still animates millions of people.
Originating from ideas illustrated by U.S. biologist Rachel Carson in her book " SilentSpring," it will be several more years before, this celebration, takes hold worldwide.
The turning point came in 1969 when activist John McCornell, at a UNESCO conference in San Francisco, proposed celebrating a day under the banner of peace and sustainability. An ode to life to be passed on to future generations as a symbol of hope. The nation was still reeling from one of the biggest environmental disasters ever. An oil spill from the Union Oi well off Santa Barbara, California, had recently caused extensive damage to the environment, leading U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson to utter the fateful words, "All people, regardless of ethnicity, gender, income or geographic origin, have the right to a healthy, balanced and sustainable environment."
The stance taken by the United Nations
The then Secretary General of the United Nations, U Thant, does not miss the occasion, recognizing for all intents and purposes April 22 as "World Earth Day." It is celebrated exactly one year and one month after the Spring Solstice, as a tribute to Rachel Carson's book.
The first celebrations were concentrated within the main thinking body of U.S. society: schools and universities, every ten years.
We have to wait until 1990 before we see the first effects on the rest of the world. As reported by Rinnovabili.it, that same year the celebration involved 200 million people in 141 countries, paving the way for one of the conferences that would change the history of sustainability: the 1992 Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit.
People want more
People's desire for a more sustainable world continues to grow, to the point where one celebration every ten years turns out to be no longer enough. So it was that, in 1990, Nelson and Bruce Anderson founded Earth Day USA. This committee oversaw all celebrations until 1995, when they changed their name to the current Earth Day Network.
The event has grown dramatically since the 2000s. The Internet has allowed greater circulation of data and ideas, and has been able to bring people in every corner of the world together.
What does the future hold for us?
It is no coincidence that, just since the 2000s, the event has grown in popularity and participation. In the same year, the United Nations launched the Millennium Development Goals: eight goals that all 193 UN states set to achieve by 2015.
World Earth Day fully reflected the ideals behind the goals, among which number 7 stood out: "ensuring environmental sustainability."
The 8 goals were the forerunners of the2030 Agenda. The document signed in 2015, also by the United Nations, with the aim of achieving ambitious goals on economic, environmental and social sustainability by 2030. 17 goals, each with a distinct focus.
World Earth Day is closely linked to the 2030 Agenda, just as it was with the Millennum Development Goals. In addition, these new 17 goals have allowed the event to take on more issues and become a symbol for new generations.
Through the Sustainable Development Goals, the event strives to raise awareness of various issues. From the environment to human rights, the event born in 1970 still has untapped potential. A potential that anyone can express through simple actions that, in everyday life, can change the world, making it more sustainable.
10 Ideas to better celebrate Planet Earth
The three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) have, for many years, been the mantra of environmentally conscious people. From these simple concepts, equally simple but highly effective actions can be taken. TV and Abbott cite several examples, among which we find:
- Reduce consumption in the home.
From turning off the red standby light on appliances to adjusting the use of heating, these are all actions that contribute to savingenergy, money and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. With these small tricks, you will be grateful to both the environment and your bank account.
- Reduce consumption of printed paper.
Whether it is a work email or a university handout, printing involves no small amount of energy and paper consumption. Care should be taken to print as little as possible and, if possible, use electronic devices such as e-books or tablets.
- Purchase reusable envelopes.
How many times has it happened that you go shopping at the supermarket, only to end up overwhelmed by a flood of plastic and paper bags? All this leads to clutter and a considerable level of waste. According to Ipsos, 58 percent of consumers avoid buying products with excessive packaging. The solution lies in using reusable bags made of cloth or other long-lasting materials. This will make everything look tidier,reduce the environmental impact considerably, and by the way, the cloth bag is more stylish.
- Using the water bottle.
Plastic bottles are one of the most common forms of pollution. They are now found everywhere, and are difficult to recycle. According to the latest Ipsos report, 48% of consumers are concerned about the low amount of recycled plastic. Having a water bottle with you is the solution to this problem. They are inexpensive, reusable and suitable for any beverage. Better than that, you can't get any better.
- Using bicycles instead of cars.
Whether for work or for fun, there is always an alternative solution to the automobile. Using a bicycle or walking, for short distances, helps improve health and reduce greenhouse gas and noise pollution. For long distances, it is advisable to take public transportation or carpool.
- Change bulbs regularly.
It may seem trivial but, in the long run, light bulbs are one of the biggest contributors to household energy waste. The arrival of LEDs has been revolutionary. They are cheaper and last longer than ordinary bulbs.
- Buying second-hand clothes.
Creating a dress from scratch involves considerable waste. From the production of raw materials to the transportation of the finished product, most dresses are not sustainable. In this case, it is advisable to buy second-hand clothes. Gems are discovered that would otherwise have been lost. Staying fashionable and dressing sustainable is possible.
- Recycle phones, computers and other electronic items.
Old or broken PCs, tablets, phones and other electronic devices can often be recycled for free by stores, manufacturers and local governments. All this saves natural resources and reduces pollution.
- Buying KM0.
Buying food, clothes and other items from local producers helps to drastically reduce pollution from logistics and their production. It is also a way to support local businesses and communities.
- Act locally.
Get involved in your city's environmental associations, or start your own nonprofit organization.. Schools, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations often provide opportunities for volunteers to get involved in park cleanups, habitat restoration, and other projects aimed at greening their communities.
Daniel Guadagnolo
Ambassador Health and Sustainability - Digital Innovation Days