Earth Day is an annual global event celebrated on April 22, aiming to raise awareness about environmental protection and inspire actions to safeguard the planet.
Launched in 1970 together by Gaylord Nelson and Denis Hayes, it originated from the growing public concern over pollution, deforestation, and ecological degradation. Today, it unites millions of people, governments, and organizations worldwide through activities like tree planting, clean-up drives, recycling campaigns, and educational programs—all to promote sustainability and address issues such as climate change, plastic pollution, and biodiversity loss.
In 1990, Hayes expanded it globally, organizing activities in 141 countries. The 2016 Earth Day saw over 120 countries sign the Paris Agreement. In 2020, the 50th anniversary drew 100 million people in the largest online environmental mobilization in history, and it now involves 1 billion people across more than 193 countries annually.
World Environment Day (WED), observed annually on June 5th, stands as one of the world’s largest public platforms for environmental advocacy . It serves as a key medium for the United Nations to boost global environmental awareness, urge governments to pay attention to environmental issues, and drive concrete actions worldwide.
In June 1972, the first United Nations Conference on the Human Environment was held in Stockholm, Sweden, adopting the Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. Delegates from 113 participating countries proposed designating the conference’s opening day (June 5th) as World Environment Day; in October, the 27th Session of the UN General Assembly officially adopted a resolution, establishing June 5th as World Environment Day annually and deciding to set up the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to coordinate global environmental protection affairs.
World Environment Day aims to raise public awareness of pressing environmental challenges like ozone depletion, desertification, global warming, and plastic pollution, and mobilize collective efforts to address them . Guided by UNEP, over 150 countries take part in its annual activities each year .
February 2: World Wetlands Day
March 21: International Day of Forests
March 22: World Water Day
May 22: International Day for Biological Diversity
June 8: World Oceans Day
June 17: World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
September 16: International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
October 4: World Animal Day