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Earth Day 2024: The Story Behind This Global Movement

There's no backup planet, that's why taking care of it needs to be a priority for everyone

1968 stood out as a memorable year. In France, the May protests erupted, sparked by a student strike, leading to widespread demonstrations across Europe. The hippie movement was in full swing, while tragic events, such as the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, shocked the world. Meanwhile, The Beatles dropped their iconic «White Album,» pushing musical boundaries even further. 

Yet, 1968 also marked a lesser known but profoundly impactful milestone. Morton Hilbert, a public health professor and environmentalist, organized a gathering with students called the Symposium of Human Ecology. Little did he know the significance of this event: it ignited a massive movement, mobilizing millions of Americans to advocate for greater environmental conservation efforts. 

The efforts paid off. Two years later, in 1970, it was decided that every April 22nd would be recognized as Earth Day. This decision had immediate effects: in 1972, the first international conference on the subject, the Stockholm Earth Summit, was held, marking a significant moment in the development of international environmental policy. 

Today, many things have changed. Climate change has become a major focus in the media and is now the primary threat facing humanity. Ecosystem degradation has worsened significantly, as has the number of people breathing polluted air daily. Additionally, the extinction of animal species has increased dramatically: it is estimated that between 18,000 and 55,000 species disappear each year, amounting to 150 species lost per day, according to the UN. 

We Only Have One Planet Earth

As climate activists often emphasize, there’s no backup planet. That’s why taking care of it needs to be a priority for everyone: individuals, businesses, and governments alike. Here at LOS40, we’re eager to participate in Earth Day and encourage all our followers to do their part for a better planet.

There are plenty of ways to help, but it’s crucial to always keep in mind the basics of environmentalism: reduce, reuse, and recycle. It’s also important not to ignore the impact of our consumption habits. Ultimately, it’s about making small changes in our daily lives that can have a positive impact.