Earth Day

Earth Day is this Friday April 22, and while every day is Earth Day for us, celebrating our beautiful planet is always a great idea. Here are some facts about Earth Day and a few fun ideas for how to spend it.

Earth Day was conceived by Senator Gaylord Nelson in the early 1960s

Seeing that environmental issues were not being addressed politically, especially in the wake of a devastating oil spill near Santa Barbara, California oil spill in 1969, the senator was inspired by Vietnam War protests to organize a nationwide grassroots demonstration promoting conservation involvement and awareness.

The first Earth Day was in 1970

Nelson's demonstration was set for April 22, 1970. It purposefully fell between Spring break and final exams in the hope that college students would participate. According to Earth Day Network, about 20 million Americans showed their support across the country, and it soon became the first official Earth Day. 

Earth Day went global in 1990

Twenty years after the first Earth Day demonstration, the campaign spread internationally. The 1990 demonstration mobilized 200 million people in 141 countries, according to the Earth Day Network, giving major attention to environmental concerns.

It’s known as “International Mother Earth Day” in other countries

The United Nations General Assembly came up with this title in 2009, although it never stuck in the United States.

Earth Day in current time

Approximately one billion people in 190 countries recognize Earth Day each year, making it the largest secular observance in the world. It always falls on April 22, a nod to the first official demonstration. Many worldwide environmental initiatives have benefited from Earth Day, such as the 28 million trees that were planted in Afghanistan on Earth Day 2011.  

Ways to Celebrate Earth Day

Here are some practical, fun ideas for celebrating Mother Earth:

1. Plant a tree. If you don’t have the space at your house or if you rent, you can support organizations like Tree Sisters who will plant one for you in an intentional and meaningful way.

2. Buy nothing. Sounds strange coming from a brand that sells products, yet a great way to reduce our collective footprint is by buying less stuff. Try it for a day or two!

3. Go meatless for the day. Another great way to help the earth is to change up your diet.  Vegetarian and vegan diets are easier on the planet. While it might not be personally sustainable to dive into that lifestyle 100%, omitting meat one or two times a week makes a difference in our individual carbon footprint.

4. Plant your garden. Growing your own food is an awesome way to connect with Mother Earth and is the very definition of eating locally. 

5. Use non-toxic skincare products. When you use products full of harmful preservatives and other synthetic ingredients, you’re not only putting your own body at risk, you’re putting those same ingredients into the waterways and soil. BellaVita products are made with natural, organic, plant-based ingredients that feel great and work wonderfully – no environmental compromises required. 

Happy Earth Day!  We hope you spend at least part of it enjoying our beautiful Mother Earth.