Seniors are being encouraged to do their bit for the environment on Earth Day, which is held annually on 22 April. 

Earth Day dates back to 1970 when it was first celebrated in the United States. It has since become a global phenomenon and one of the most significant environmental movements in history. 

The idea was first proposed by US Senator Gaylord Nelson, who was alarmed by the growing environmental crisis and the lack of political action to address it. 

He envisioned a national day of environmental teach-ins, similar to anti-war protests, to raise awareness about environmental issues and to encourage people to take action to protect the planet. 

On 22 April 1970, more than 20 million Americans took to the streets to protest environmental degradation and to demand action from their government.  

This historic event marked the birth of the modern environmental movement, and it led to the creation of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the passage of several landmark environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act. 

Since then, Earth Day has grown into a global event, recognised in more than 190 countries around the world. 

This year, participants are being encouraged to “join the great global clean up”, including calling on governments to sign a Global Plastics Treaty that would: 

• Negotiate a new legally binding global instrument on plastic pollution, including measures along the entire life cycle of plastic. 

• Promote a circular economy action plan and ban single-use plastic. 

• Establish National Action Plans to prevent litter/plastics from entering our rivers and oceans.

• Enhance investment planning and stimulate innovation to prevent plastic from entering any ecosystem.