Earth Day 22nd April 2016

Earth Day 22nd April 2016

On Friday, leaders from 160 countries will officially sign the Paris Climate Agreement on Earth Day 2016.


The signing makes this year’s Earth Day one of the most important in years, and the organisers will be attempting to build on the momentum created by last year’s Paris Climate Summit.

Five things you didn’t know about Earth Day

  1. One billion people across the world will get involved with Earth Day this year
  3. 20 million people participated in the first ever Earth Day in 1970
  4. No one knows where the name or date for the day came from as the organisers can’t remember
  5. In 2008 Disney launched Disneynature, a channel dedicated to environmental documentaries, in celebration of Earth Day

How to get involved

There are Earth Day events taking place across the globe. Google has created a special map with a selection of planned events in different countries.

In the UK you can take part in a range of activities from tree planting in Bristol, to feeding bees in Derby, and cleaning Boggle beach in Whitby.


  1. Walk to work, cycle or take public transport
  2. Use a reusable coffee cup
  3. Make sure you recycle
  4. Go paperless
  5. Take a tote bag to the shop
  6. Plant a tree
  7. Go meat or dairy free at least once a week
  8. Carry a reusable water bottle
  9. Add the Earth Mode Google Chrome extensionto your browser to monitor your energy use
  10. Buy local produce


“Climate change represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity today, and the response requires the solidarity of all.”

Pope Francis on Twitter 22nd April 2016