Earth Day: A Love Letter and a Wake-Up Call

By Celina Barroca

Reflecting on 55 years of action and why now is not the time to look away.

Once upon a planet, our planet, a movement was born out of both admiration and alarm. April 22nd, known globally as Earth Day, began not as a celebration, but as a cry for help. In 1970, in the wake of oil spills that blackened coastlines, factory smog, and rivers that caught fire from industrial runoff, 20 million Americans took to the streets. They were led by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson and a wave of rising ecological consciousness. There was a growing sense that humanity might be loving the Earth to death. It was a turning point.

This was more than a protest. It was the beginning of something much larger: the birth of the modern environmental movement. That first Earth Day set off the creation of landmark policies like the Clean Air Act and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Meanwhile, momentum began rippling across the Atlantic. Europe, too, began shifting and by the 1990s, Earth Day had evolved into a truly international phenomenon, embraced by over 200 million people in 141 countries.

Today, Earth Day is recognised in more than 190 nations, where communities, schools, and NGOs are transforming concern into action.

The EU and UN: Earth Allies in Action

In Europe, the fight for our planet has found real footing. The European Union's Green Deal, unveiled in 2019, aims for climate neutrality by 2050, the most ambitious climate policy agenda in the world. It's a roadmap to rethink energy, farming, construction, and transport, with people and planet at the centre.

Meanwhile, the United Nations has positioned climate justice as a global priority through initiatives like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement. These are not just aspirational; they're legally binding frameworks that push governments to act with urgency.

But let's be clear: plans mean nothing without implementation. And ambition means nothing without accountability.

From Then to Now: What's Changed?

Back in 1970, climate change wasn't a household term as most people had never heard of it. Recycling was rare, and few imagined a world where we'd track carbon footprints like calorie counts. Fast forward to today, we're facing crises that are both terrifying and undeniable: melting glaciers, rising sea levels, disappearing biodiversity, and microplastics found in… well, just about everything, including us.

But we've also evolved. Technology now allows us to harness the sun and wind like never before. Cities are going greener. Youth leaders and scientists alike are demanding better. Activists have inspired millions, raising awareness and reshaping national conversations. Indigenous communities are finally being recognised as stewards of sustainable practices. People are talking, and acting, in ways that weren't imaginable 55 years ago.

Still, the world has a misinformation problem. Conspiracy theories and climate denial campaigns continue to distract, delay, and divide. Worse still, too many governments are led by individuals more interested in short-term gains than long-term sustainability. That isn't just disappointing, it's dangerous.

Public perception also plays a crucial role in shaping the credibility of environmental advocacy. When prominent figures, such as former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, champion urgent climate action while maintaining lifestyles perceived as environmentally excessive, it can create a dissonance that undermines their message. Despite Gore's significant contributions to raising awareness about global warming, critics have seized upon his personal carbon footprint and financial interests in green investments to question his sincerity. This kind of perceived hypocrisy, even if unfounded or exaggerated, fuels scepticism and weakens public trust in environmental movements. It highlights the importance of not only advocating for change but also embodying those values in visible, consistent ways.

And yet, the clock is ticking.

Earth Day Fun Facts

The first Earth Day in 1970 included Republicans and Democrats standing side by side. Imagine that today!

In 2009, the United Nations officially renamed April 22 International Mother Earth Day.

Earth Day's flag? It exists. It features The Blue Marble – that famous photo of Earth taken by Apollo 17 astronauts.

The Earth Day Flag designed by John McConnell, featuring NASA's "The Blue Marble" photograph taken by the Apollo 17 crew in 1972.

Think Global. Act Personal.

Earth Day isn't just about planting trees. It's about planting ideas: in our homes, in our communities, in our systems. It's a chance to reflect on the daily choices we make: the energy we use, the food we eat, the waste we produce, the voices we amplify. It's about demanding better, not just from governments, but from us.

But more than anything, it's a reminder: we are not separate from nature, we are nature. What we do to the Earth, we ultimately do to ourselves. What we damage in the world, we carry in our lungs, our oceans, our food, our future.

So, on this April 22nd, take a moment. Go outside. Touch the soil. Breathe deep. And ask yourself not just what the planet can do for you, but what you can do for the only planet you've got. Let it be more than a hashtag. Let it be a reflection. A recommitment.

Today, let it be a rebellion against apathy. And a reminder that loving this planet means fighting for it, every day.

The Earth isn't asking for perfection. It's asking for action.

Let's treat Earth Day not as an annual event, but as a daily invitation to live more thoughtfully, more kindly, and more courageously.

At Embrace the Earth, we believe every small action matters. Join us, not just on the 22nd of April, but every day!

The planet is calling. Will you pick up?

References:

• United States Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Our Mission and What We Do. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/our-mission-and-what-we-do
• Carson, R. (1962). Silent Spring. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
• Earth Day Network. (n.d.). History of Earth Day. Retrieved from https://www.earthday.org/history/
• European Commission. (2023). The European Green Deal. Retrieved from https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en
• United Nations. (n.d.). International Mother Earth Day. United Nations. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/en/observances/earth-day and https://www.un.org/en/observances/earth-day/background
• Youth for Climate Belgium. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://www.youthforclimate.be/
• National Geographic. (2020, April 21). Earth Day, explained. Retrieved from 50 years of progress—and setbacks—since the first Earth Day

• Johnson, D. (2017, August 1). Al Gore's Inconvenient Reality: The Former Vice President's Home Energy Use Surges up to 34 Times the National Average Despite Costly Green Renovations. National Center for Public Policy Research. Retrieved from https://nationalcenter.org/ncppr/2017/08/01/al-gores-inconvenient-reality-the-former-vice-presidents-home-energy-use-surges-up-to-34-times-the-national-average-despite-costly-green-renovations-by-drew-johnso/