April 22

International Mother Earth Day

In the 1960s and early 1970s, most people
did not realize the impact of human
intervention upon the environment.

However, the awakening of consciences

had begun.
How International Mother Earth
Day was established

The inspiration for the establishment of

celebrating Earth Day is attributed to activist
John Mac Connell, who raised the issue in a
1969 UN Convention in San Francisco.

Celebrations took place for the first time on 21

March 1970 in San Francisco and other cities,
on the occasion of the vernal (spring) equinox
in the northern hemisphere.
In the USA the International Mother Earth
Day was established in 1970 as an
initiative proposed by the Senator
Gaylord Nelson. The year 1970 is a
landmark for the birth of the
contemporary environmentalist
movement.
After January 1969, when the consequences of an oil spill in Santa
Barbara Channel became evident, Senator Gaylord Nelson took action.
The US Senator along with a group of 85
people started promoting the idea of the
establishment of an environment day.

On 22 April 1970, 20 million Americans

demonstrated in streets, parks and
squares in favour of sustainable
development and environmental protection.
In late 1970 the US Environmental Protection
Agency was established. Meanwhile,
environmental legislation was voted, namely the
Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered
Species Act.

In 1995, Gaylord Nelson received the Presidential

Medal of Freedom in recognition for his
contribution to the development of the
environmental movement.
In the following decades the International Mother Earth Day officially becomes a
global movement.

In 1990, Denis Hayes, who participated in the organization of the first Earth
Day, became the coordinator on a global scale mobilizing 200 million people in
141 countries.

This effort paved the way for the historic 1992 United Nation’s Earth Summit.
Today, International Mother Earth Day is annually
celebrated by more than 1 billion people, who send
a message to their governments and fellow
citizens that the fight for the environment is a fight
for the Earth’s future.
European Union’s contribution to
environmental protection
Declaration of climate
emergency

In November 2020, the European

Parliament declared a climate
emergency.
 Presentation of the European
Green Deal

The proposal for the European Green Deal

was presented by the European Commission
in July 2019.
In essence, it is a roadmap to render Europe
climate neutral by 2050.
Aims of the European Green Deal

Limit planet overheating

Increased EU target of reducing
greenhouse gas emissions of at least
55% by 2030
Endorsing EU’s objective of climate
neutrality by 2050
European Green Deal targets towards:

preserving biodiversity
ensuring a sustainable food system
promoting circular economy
supporting green investments
empowering industry towards a green transition
April 22
International Mother Earth Day

Geniko Lykeio Tycherou

Lace of Tyvhero
Lake of Tychero, Evros. On April 22,
2021, students collect garbage from the
lake as an activity for the
environmental learning process.
April 22
International Mother Earth Day

European Parliament Ambassador School Programme

EPAS 2020-21 Geniko Lykeio Tycherou