National Geographic Traveller UK April 2020

(Dana P.) #1
WHAT IS IT?
It’s a global movement demonstrating
support for environmental protection and
raising awareness of climate issues

Timeline


IMAGES: GETTY

CLIMATE ACTION


22 APRIL MARKS THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF EARTH DAY. WHAT’S HAPPENED IN THE
HALF-CENTURY OF ITS EXISTENCE? WORDS: TAMSIN WRESSELL


THE INFO

IN NUMBERS

1 billion
The number of individuals
who take part each year

192
The estimated number of
countries that participate in
Earth Day

7.6 billion
Overall population of the world
as recorded in 2018

Paris
Agreement
Earth Day 2016 was
the backdrop to the
signing of the Paris
Agreement, which
aimed to strengthen
the global response
to the threat of
climate change and
help countries
deal with the
impacts.

SOURCES: EARTHDAY.ORG; GREENMATCH.CO.UK; INDEPENDENT.CO.UK; FOX GROUP; NATIONALGEOGRAPHIC.COM

2000
Digital media gives
Earth Day a boost,
reaching more than
180 countries; the
main focus is on a
global initiative to
clean, renewable
energy sources.

1985
Scientists discover
a hole in the
ozone layer in the
stratosphere above
Antarctica. In 1987,
world leaders agree
to phase out ozone-
depleting chemicals.

1990
Earth Day is
marked in 141
countries. The UN’s
Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC)
releases a global
warming report.

2020
In its 50th year, Earth
Day will again reach
one billion people.
The theme is climate
action, representing
the biggest challenge
to the future
of humanity.

1970
The irst Earth Day
draws attention
to the need for
environmental
protections, and
the US’ National
Environmental Policy
Act takes efect.

2010
The Earth Day Network
launches A Billion
Acts of Green, a
campaign that rewards
individuals and groups
seeking to reduce
carbon emissions and
support sustainability.

Recycling one bottle can save
enough energy to power a
light bulb for four hours

Every ton of recycled paper
could save 17 trees

95% of energy used in making
aluminium drink cans can be
saved when recycled

green facts


TAKE THREE


20 million
The number of Americans
who took part in the irst Earth
Day in 1970. The event was
established by US Senator
Gaylord Nelson ater he
witnessed the impact of a
massive oil spill in Santa
Barbara, California, in 1969.

HELP PROTECT WILDLIFE
Join National Geographic as it focuses on saving 50 of the
planet’s at-risk species. Find out how you can help, beginning
1 April at national geographic.co.uk

#natgeosavetogether


TRAVEL GEEKS


158 nationalgeographic.co.uk/travel

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