A beach clean-up movement for the Earth Day 2023 celebration in India (source: weather.com)

Jatinangor, Wartakema – Every year on 22 April, people around the world celebrate World Earth Day in different ways to raise awareness of global warming and human-caused environmental destruction. The first Earth Day was born and celebrated in 1970 on the idea of a junior senator from Wisconsin, United States, Senator Gaylord Nelson, to inspire the American people with an environmental movement. The idea emerged as a breakthrough when in 1969, he witnessed the environmental damage caused by a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. 

Thanks to this breakthrough, by 1990 Earth Day was confirmed as a global action celebrated by at least 140 countries. As of this year’s Earth Day celebration, according to EARTHDAY.ORG, approximately more than 190 countries celebrate this special day with various activities. Some of you may wonder how significant Earth Day is to become an international celebration day. The answer lies in its power to inform and inspire people, groups, as well as governments around the world to work together towards a greener future.

If you’ve ever wondered how the countries across the world celebrate Earth Day this year with the theme “Invest in Our Planet”, this article will guide you through some more interesting facts.

India

This year, some of the biggest brands in India joined the “Blue Planet” campaign. According to ETBrandEquity, the well-known fast food restaurant KFC India has started a campaign to promote the use of recyclable, compostable, or biodegradable packaging. Furthermore, Schneider Electric, a French multinational company that owns factories in many countries, including India and Indonesia, is making its contribution to this year’s Earth Day in India by leveraging its technology and tools to accelerate climate change. Schneider Electric is campaigning with a unique slogan through their social media: “Join the Good Fight. Become a Green Yodha today”.

Schneider Electric India post on Instagram for Earth Day 2023 campaign.

Uganda

With increasing wildlife environmental crises and decreasing numbers of wild animals in their natural habitat due to tree logging, illegal hunting, and climate change, the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) joined this year’s Earth Day celebration through conservation education in Uganda. This year, AWF helped construct a tree planting program and established wildlife and environmental clubs at Kidepo Primary School.

Students at Kidepo Primary School in Kaabong, north-eastern Uganda, as they excitedly enter their classroom (source: awf.org).

United States

Earth Day is not an official holiday in the United States, but it is still celebrated in numerous ways. Citizens of all ages in the United States participate in events aimed at increasing public awareness of environmental issues and celebrating their affection for the environment. According to the U.S. Department of State, in schools across the country, teachers frequently teach about environmental topics. On this day, citizens volunteer to clean up their city, and sometimes city and school gardens are created. Earth Day encourages individuals to recycle and live in a more eco-friendly manner. Additionally, there are rallies, protests, and marches to protect the environment, and other civic organizers plan training sessions or educational teach-ins to support sustainability initiatives.

With events on Earth Day (Friday, April 22) and throughout the week, New York City celebrates sustainability and ways to live in harmony with the planet (Source: NYC The Official Guide)

Japan

In Tokyo, Japan, people come together to celebrate Earth Day, which is commonly held in Yoyogi Park. According to Earth Day Tokyo, each year, more than 100,000 visitors come with their families to learn about sustainability and environmentalism in a two-day celebration of Earth. It’s a great day for the whole family, and the tradition has even spread to other Japanese cities like Hokkaido, Chiba, Shonan, Toyama, Ishikawa, Nagano, Osaka, and Okinawa.

People visit Earth Day Tokyo in Yoyogi Park (Source: The Japan Times)

Indonesia 

Bali Safari Park, one of the most renowned safari parks in Indonesia, celebrated Earth Day 2023 by promoting eco-friendly and sustainable practices on its grounds. The park, which is home to more than 400 animals from different parts of the world, is taking measures to reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to the preservation of the environment. The implementation of a waste management system that prioritizes recycling and composting is one of the park’s most important initiatives. The park has installed recycling bins throughout its grounds to encourage visitors to dispose of their trash in a responsible manner. In addition, the park’s organic waste is composted and used as plant fertilizer.

Bali Safari with Bali Life Foundation made a collaboration creating an artwork of earth made from recycled things and plant seeds. The kids are sticking the plant seeds with glue. (Source: Bali Safari)

Just as any other celebration day, such as Halloween and Valentine’s Day, Earth Day is not less significant. Earth Day is not only environmental activists’ day but also every human being living on earth’s day. Celebrating Earth Day doesn’t mean you must join any environmental organization or community; you can do it on your own, starting in your backyard with one plant every year, or do something more simple like not using plastic-based products. If those two ideas are such a hassle for you, then start by not littering. 

One step at a time, for a greener and safer future.

Penulis: Vieri Abdurrafi & Zulfa Salman
Editor: Rifia Azka Nabillah & Fareez Eldacca