When is Earth Day?
Earth Day occurs on April 22nd.
What is Earth Day?
The California Grizzly appears on the state’s flag. That bear has been extinct since the 1920s. It’s a sad thought, but unique species of plants and animals disappear from the earth every day. Earth Day spreads the word about threats to the world’s species and the desperate need for more sustainable practices.
Animals and plants need to live in the right context. Without a specific habitat or the right mix of local species, many die. Half of the world’s population of wild animals has disappeared in the last 40 years because of habitat destruction, the introduction of exotic species, climate change, and overexploitation.
Who is the winner in this awful contest? Deforestation knocks down an acre and a half of forests every second. As human cities expand and highways multiply, animals either escape deeper into the swamps, forests, and grasslands, or they run into deadly conflicts with humans. But the gold medal goes to invasive species. The majority of recorded extinctions happened when an exotic (non-native) species invaded an island, brought or carried by humans.
Advocates for biodiversity use Earth Day to raise awareness about the need for further environmental protection. Sustainable practices require creativity. Humans have that trait in spades, and Earth Day encourages us to apply it to the world around us.
Facts about Earth Day!
- Scientists estimate that dozens of species go extinct on a daily basis.
- Of the 504 primate species on the earth, extinction is a threat for 60% of those species, and the population of 75% is on the decline.
- About 80% of wild plants need insects for pollination, and 60% of bird species depend on insects for food. Unfortunately, global insect populations may have decreased more than 75% since 1990.
How to celebrate Earth Day:
- Attend an event celebrating biodiversity or promoting the protection of threatened and endangered species.
- Volunteer or donate to support organizations that combat the major human-caused threats to Earth’s species.
What’s the hashtag for Earth Day?
Use #EarthDay on social media when you voice your support for environmental protections.