- Earth Day is now celebrated every year by more than a billion people in 180 nations around the world.
- More than 20 million people celebrated the very first earth day on April 22, 1970.
- Each person throws away approximately four pounds of garbage every single day.
- Every ton of paper that is recycled saves 17 trees.
- To highlight Earth Day, the U.N. rings the Peace Bell, which was given to the U.N. by Japan. The bell is made up of coins that were given by school children in attempt to further peace throughout the world.
- Earth Day’s 40th anniversary, in 2010, brought 225,000 people to the National Mall for a Climate Rally, launched an international, 1-million tree planting initiative with Avatar director James Cameron, tripled its online base to over 900,000 community members, and saw the rise of 40 million environmental service actions toward its 2012 goal of A Billion Acts of Green.
- Earth Day is a big event in schools. It is noted to be the third most activity-inspiring holiday after Christmas and Halloween.
- Central Westchester County’s own Junior League participates in events such as “Let’s Save The Earth,” which is just one of the many Earth Day themed events out there
- Earth Day was given the date of April 22 due to the high amount of student activism. Leaders chose the 22nd since it fell between spring break and finals, so more college students would be around to get involved.
- Taking public transportation as much as possible can reduce air pollution significantly—one public bus can hold up to as many people as 40 cars.
For a list of Earth Day-related activities, go here. And if we've left something out, let us know in the comments.
Sources:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/20/the-history-of-earth-day_n_182928.html
http://www.planetpals.com/fastfacts.html
http://www.earthday.org/earth-day-history-movement
http://www.parents.com/fun/parties/special-occasions/fun-facts-about-earth-day/
