On January 28, 1969, a drilling-induced crack in the Santa Barbara Channel released more than 3 million tonnes of crude oil into the water. It formed black waves that struck the Southern California coastline and washed upon beaches in an eerie silence, carrying with them seabirds and animals drowning in oil. Across America, an outpouring of frustration seemed to match that of the crack in the channel bed.
The disaster would mark the beginnings of the environmental movement. A year later, on April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans gathered across the country to raise awareness for environmental issues - Earth Day was born.
While it started as a form of grassroots activism, Earth Day transitioned in 1990 to a truly international organisation, comprised of over 141 nations in participation. Earth Day takes place on April 22 every year and, in 2017, has taken on a new relevance. On the same day that the public mind turns to the future of our planet, people will take to streets across the world to march for scientific integrity.
In the words of the Earth Day Organisation, “Education is the foundation for progress”. This year, the focus of the campaign is designed to improve environmental and climate literacy. This means providing people with an education in climate change concepts, so as to raise awareness and help them to get involved in the future of our planet. Education lies at the heart of any action to empower the public and environmental protection is no different.
Read more: Climate change has pushed Earth into 'uncharted territory'
In a statement for March for Science, London, the organisation expresses its concerns over the sanctity of science in an age of fake news, growing political unrest and disenfranchisement, stating: “There is growing concern that scientific progress and freedom is under threat on a global level – from the policies of the new US administration, uncertainty around the impact of the EU referendum, and a broad increase in anti-intellectualism and resistance to facts that contributed to both.”
In an effort to raise awareness about environmental education, as well as the public services that maintain air, water and other environmental qualities, Earth Day 2017 plans to utilise this public momentum to educate people about the need for commitment to a clean environment. Using teach-in concepts that were first deployed on Earth Day in 1970, rallies will be held across the world, with speakers discussing the need to address environmental issues with targeted policies.
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One of the most striking aspects of Earth Day that you’ll see this year – perhaps more so than any other year since its inception - is its truly global nature. As well as raising awareness about the need to better protect our environment, the 22nd of April is a day in which to highlight the need for research-focused, international science. The March for Science is an opportunity to combine the need for environmental action with the desire to defend scientific integrity. The fact that the March for Science falls on Earth Day shows the global and multi-faceted nature of scientific research. Scientific breakthroughs benefit the collective – working to improve healthcare, education and infrastructure worldwide. As such, the collective now stands to defend them.
On April 22, more than 1 billion people are expected to participate in Earth Day around the world, making it the largest civic observance in the world. The campaigns involved in the Earth Day programme range from encouraging green cities, climate change and reforestation.
With over 400 countries taking part in Marches for Science this Earth Day, the event has arguably taken on the element of social activism that was seen with women's marches across the world earlier this year. On January 21, women and men marched on all seven continents with an estimated 4.5 million marchers worldwide. It was among the biggest human-rights demonstrations in history. The spirit of that demonstration has arguably sparked a new wave of public protests - with the upcoming March for Science on 22 April; the People’s Climate March on 29 April; and an Immigrants March on 6 May. Some have expressed concerns about the politicisation of science with these organised events; others argue that the interplay between science and politics needs stronger definition.
But Earth Day has arguably always been a political event - with tens of thousands of people flooding New York's Fifth Avenue in the year of its creation. In 2016, the Paris Agreement was ratified, uniting nations in a common cause to combat climate change, arguably marking a point at which the environmental issue is proving less divisive - and more united. Climate Change has now pushed Earth into uncharted territory - an issue that has significant social, political and economic ramifications. In order to better understand environmental challenges, we must first be educated in environmental science. As such, public support on Earth Day is designed to reflect these issues.
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The route that Londoners will be taking this weekend reflects the varied and important history of science in the United Kingdom. Story Sylwester, March For Science London organiser, says: "From the foundation of the Royal Society and the Royal Greenwich Observatory in the 17th Century, to more modern institutions such as the British Library, the Francis Crick Institute and the Wellcome Trust, London has long been a bedrock of scientific inquiry. The London March for Science is an opportunity for scientists and science enthusiasts to come together and defend the scientific integrity, inquiry and curiosity they love."
Starting from the steps of the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum, thousands of people will march through London’s streets, walking passed scientific institutions such as the Royal Society before ending with a rally in Parliament Square. A diverse range of organisations have lent their support to the event, including Campaign Against Climate Change and Science Council.
The rallies and marches taking place this Earth day will have the effect of demonstrating public support for environmental issues - however, these are not the only ways you can get involved. You don’t have to go to an official event – in making a dedicated, long-term commitment to improving your carbon footprint, you'll be working in the spirit of Earth Day. In the same vein as criticism of Earth Hour questions the benefit of such short-term action, Earth Day itself is supposed to raise awareness in order to inspire long-term change.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
