Our planet is 4.5 billion years old. Life has existed on it for about 3.5 billion years, though there is evidence it may have been around even longer.

Today, life on planet Earth is being threatened by climate change and pollution, and we are quickly running out of time to fix the problem. According to some estimates, we humans need to cut our carbon dioxide emissions 45% in the next 10 years and to net zero by 2050 to stop the worst effects of climate change. It might sound scary, but there is plenty we can still do to tackle the problem. 

Since 1970, Earth Day has taken place every April 22. The day includes numerous events aimed at educating the public about how they can help save Earth. In 1970, 20 million people took action on Earth Day. Today, the yearly event will mobilize as many as one billion people — and you can be one of them!

Earth Day 2021

Earth Day 2021, “Restore Our Earth,” will focus on “natural processes, emerging green technologies, and innovative thinking that can restore the world’s ecosystems,” according to Earthday.org. 

How to Participate

Look for events near you on the Earth Day map. Don’t see one? You can create your own Earth Day event! 

You can also participate in any of these fun Earth Day Live events, which will begin on April 20. 

  • April 20: Earth Day will kick off with an international youth climate summit led by Earth Uprising, a global team of youth whose mission is to save the planet. Teen climate activists Greta Thunberg, Alexandria Villaseñor, and Licypriya Kangujam will attend. 
  • April 21: Education International will lead the “Teach for the Planet: Global Education Summit.”
  • April 22 (Earth Day): In line with U.S. President Joe Biden Administration’s global climate summit, Earthday.org will hold its second Earth Day Live virtual event, beginning 12 PM Eastern Time, with workshops, panel discussions, and special performances.

Visit Earth Day’s website to learn more.