When is Earth Day 2024? How to take part in the annual environmental event

 (Porapak Apichodilok)
(Porapak Apichodilok)

2024 will be the 54th World Earth Day, an annual climate event that draws attention to various eco-initiatives around the world.

From huge organisations to inspired individuals, there’s space for everyone to take part.

The climate emergency has never been more urgent, so raising awareness of the issues and honouring those already doing powerful work is especially vital in 2024.

So what is World Earth Day, what does it mean and how can we take part? Let's take a look...

When is World Earth Day?

World Earth Day is held on April 22 — the same date every year.

This year that means it falls on the second to last Monday of the month.

What is World Earth Day about?

Earth Day was launched in 1970, when millions of people in America took to the streets to protest for environmental reform.

The brainchild of US Senator Gaylord Nelson, it was founded in the aftermath of the 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, and led to the creation of landmark environmental laws and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Soon after the first Earth Day, the US passed the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.

First launched as a way to teach environmentalism and protest against the negative aspects of industrialisation and set against the backdrop of rising public concern about the environment, Earth Day soon grew to become a global environmental movement.

More than a billion people worldwide now take part in marches, petitions, and clean-ups to protect the environment — making it the largest civic observance in the world.

People all around the world are encouraged to do things to benefit the environment, from recycling and planting trees to reducing their carbon footprints.

In 2020 the day went digital for the first time, but this year will encourage people to get back on their feet with events all over the globe.

Ever since, there have been both digital and in-person events around the world.

What is this year's theme?

 (Shutterstock)
(Shutterstock)

Normally each year, Earth Day has a different theme, and this year it is Planet vs. Plastics.

Organisers are calling for people and groups to advocate for widespread awareness of the health risks of plastics.

The goal is to rapidly phase out all single-use plastics, urgently push for a strong UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution, and demand an end to fast fashion – an industry that produces the equivalent of 50 million plastic bottles every year.