Earth Day is celebrated worldwide on April 22 each year, aiming to raise awareness about environmental protection and promote sustainable practices, with participation from over 180 countries.
The initiative began in 1970, led by U.S. senator Gaylord Nelson, after witnessing a major oil spill in Santa Barbara alongside Denis Hayes, which sparked mass public engagement across the United States.
Since 1990, Earth Day has grown into a global event involving over a billion participants, focusing on key issues such as climate change, particularly after the 1997 meeting in Kyoto.
Scientific reports, including those published in The Lancet, indicate that pollution caused around nine million deaths in 2015, with air pollution being the leading factor.
In 2025, the focus is on renewable energy, and the event has contributed to major global agreements such as the Paris Agreement.