Earth Day
As April 22nd rolls around again, we find ourselves in the midst of another Earth Day celebration or, rather, what has evolved into a celebration. A time when we kick off our shoes, feel the warm grass, and brace ourselves for the onslaught of well-crafted advertising campaigns looking for our attention. Earth Day, once deeply rooted in environmental awareness and activism, has now become entangled with the art of marketing.
In an era where every aspect of our lives seems to be intertwined with marketing, it's no surprise that Earth Day has also succumbed to this trend. The current landscape is filled with computer companies boasting carbon-neutral ambitions, influencers showing off sustainable lifestyles, and platforms like YouTube partnering with creators to showcase our planet's natural wonders. Amidst this, the genuine intent of Earth Day often seems overshadowed by the race to capitalize on positive “looks.”
Reflecting back to the 1960s, the environment wasn't a concern in the average American's mind. The public opinion regarding environmental matters was rather lukewarm, barely registering in opinion polls until 1965. It was only then that a mere 17 percent of Americans considered "reducing pollution of air and water" a pressing national issue.
By the time of the inaugural Earth Day in 1970, the narrative had shifted. Gallup polls revealed that over half of Americans, 53 percent to be precise, then considered pollution a severe problem for the country. The following decade saw the passing of several federal environmental protection acts.
Data from the years 1973 to 1982 and 2003 to 2012 revealed a remarkable increase in pro-environmental public sentiment across all states. This shift extended environmental concern from places like New England, Illinois, and the West Coast to a broader, nationwide sentiment.
These days, we should not forget the original intent of Earth Day. We are more than just our wallets, eyeballs, or mouseclicks. Instead of just “buying green,” let’s elect politicians who will take real measures to address the climate change crisis. Our Earth deserves as much.
