The origin of this celebration is attributed to several dates: Some say it came into being on 22 April 1970 when there was a demonstration against pollution and calling for the protection of biodiversity organised by Wisconsin senator Gaylord Nelson.

Others say the movement emerged two years earlier in 1968, during the Human Ecology Symposium which included an environmental conference with a speech by scientist Morton Helbert and the United States Public Health Services. During the event, students heard the expert talk about the harmful effects of environmental damage on human health.

In any case, today is 22 April, and we are celebrating Earth Day (this time virtually) in the midst of the challenge presented by the coronavirus. We must not lose sight of the environmental crisis and remember that it is everyone’s responsibility to stay at home and that we must also use this time to reconsider the impact of our activities on the planet.

We must take decisive action to protect our planet from the coronavirus and from the existential threat of climate events.
António Guterres, General Secretary of the United Nations.

National Geographic is joining the celebrations by releasing a new documentary about Jane Goodall: The great hope, on the subject of her latest primatology project. The magazine has also published the top 50 climate goals, which you will find here.

Biodiversity and the coronavirus

As the United Nations says on its website: The coronavirus represents an enormous risk not only to public health and the global economy, but also to biological diversity. However, biodiversity can be part of the solution, because a diversity of species hinders rapid pathogen spread.

We recommend you check out this interesting visual report on Human Health about biodiversity as a means of protection from the coronavirus: