Gaia, the personification of Earth in Greek mythology, embodies the interconnected nature of all life on our planet. Her story resonates deeply with the modern environmental movement, particularly with the emergence of Earth Day in 1970. While the progress we’ve made since then is hard to quantify, it’s always interesting to remember the intentions behind why we did anything in the past. This can bring new understandings of how to revive these sentiments today.

On April 22, 1970, over 20 million Americans participated in rallies and demonstrations, sparking a groundswell of public support that led to the establishment of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and landmark environmental legislation.

By the 1980s, a wave of environmental legislation had swept the United States, cementing key protections and establishing institutions like the EPA. The 1990 campaign saw Earth Day go global, mobilizing millions across 141 countries and propelling environmental issues onto the world stage, leading to significant initiatives like the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

By the turn of the millennium, Earth Day had evolved into a truly international phenomenon, with the 2000 campaign focusing on global warming and clean energy. The advent of the internet facilitated unprecedented global connectivity, enabling grassroots activism on an unprecedented scale.

The 2010s witnessed nearly one billion people participating in Earth Day activities worldwide, with a particular emphasis on climate change and building green economies. Earth Day 2020 marked the movement's 50th anniversary, culminating in the largest online mass mobilization in history, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Present day, we often overlook this interconnectedness in nature. Our joy of appreciation and immersion has been replaced in part by the desire to consume and possess. More and more, we’re inclined to delineate our world as what is mine and what is yours, forgetting that we all share this one planet. Despite these challenges, Earth Day serves as a powerful reminder of our responsibility to the planet and its inhabitants, of which we are all a part.

Since its inception, Earth Day has grown into the largest secular day of protest worldwide, marking significant milestones in environmental legislation and international cooperation. The themes of recent years reflect the urgent need for climate action, restoration of the Earth, and investment in sustainable practices.

In essence, Earth Day embodies the spirit of Gaia, reminding us that our lives are intricately tied to all other life, reminding us of our collective responsibility to preserve this world, for ourselves and for future generations that should know the joys of nature as we have.