More than one billion people in over 190 countries joined Earth Day on April 22. EARTHDAY.ORG organized the day. People cleaned beaches, planted trees, and joined school workshops around the world.
Earth Day happens every year on April 22. It is the largest non-religious public event in the world. This year, people in cities, towns, schools, and villages took part. Volunteers picked up trash, planted trees, and joined recycling drives in their areas.
Beach and river cleanups were very popular. Volunteers filled bags with plastic bottles, food wrappers, and discarded fishing lines. Groups also cleaned rivers and lakes to protect fish, birds, and other animals.
Tree planting was also important. In many cities, people planted young trees on streets and in school gardens. Trees take in carbon dioxide, cool the air, and give shade to animals. Children, parents, and older people helped plant and water the new trees.
Schools played a big role too. Teachers ran workshops about climate change. Students learned how energy use, food waste, and transport affect the environment. Some students made posters about using less plastic.
In South Korea, groups cleaned parks and paths along the Han River. Volunteers collected litter and sorted it for recycling. Families also planted flowers in city parks.
Earth Day started in 1970 in the United States. Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin created it. The US also started the Environmental Protection Agency that year. In 1990, Earth Day became a global event. Today, it is a worldwide movement.