images/stories/9bwm9rnj.jpg Celebration of the first Earth Day took place on 22 April 1970 upon the initiative of Wisconsin senator Gaylord Nelson. The event gave birth to a sustainable and deep-seated movement with the objective of « introducing the environment to the national agenda » and making environmental protection a universal claim. On that day, 20 million Americans marched and publicly demonstrated in favor of a healthy and sustainable environment.

While human development implied ever-growing damage to the environment, Earth Day came along to put an end to the indifference of public authorities, governments and citizens with respect to the environment. Via a rare consensus Earth Day obtained support from the major political parties and the population as a whole.

Being a genuine tool for popular democracy, Earth Day is behind the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the implementation of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act.

Events, planting of trees, earth festivals, cleaning of rivers and beaches, cultural events and governmental initiatives were organized. Thousands of activities took place and in 1990 Earth Day united 300 million participants and 141 nations from all across the world!

In Morocco, the celebration of Earth Day is a first. Highly aware of the importance of this event, all the players in society are implicated in this project such as Ministries, enterprises, boards and associations planning several endeavors in the field as well as awareness-raising program actions concerning a wide network of citizens across the whole of Morocco.

A UNIQUE EVENT IN 3 MAJOR STAGES:

SERVICE DAYS - On 17 and 18 April: multiple green actions will take place across Morocco.

ACTION DAY - On 22 April: marks commitment by public authorities, enterprises, associations, and citizens for an environmental protection program.

CELEBRATION DAY - On 24 April: festivities will be organized in the presence of national and international personalities working for environmental protection.