Earth Day 2026: What's it all about?

Earth Day takes place every year on 22 April.

It's a chance for people to honour the achievements of the environmental movement and highlight the need to protect the planet.

It was started in the US in 1970 and has now spread globally, celebrated by millions of people across the world.

Keep reading to find out more about it and how it came about.

Earth Day is a celebration of the planet as well as an opportunity to talk about action taken to try to protect it.

The first-ever Earth Day was held in the United States in 1970, when 20 million people took to the streets to protest against big environmental issues, including oil spills, polluted rivers and air pollution.

Those who took part in the protests wanted the protection of the planet to be taken more seriously.

The first Earth Day led to the passing of new environmental laws in America and later, lots of other countries too.

It's thought to have inspired the modern environmental movement we have today.

In 1990 it became a global event. Organisers say over a billion people take part in events to mark the day in hundreds of countries all over the world.

People take part in events to promote climate action and encourage others to protect the planet.

The organisers behind Earth Day decide upon a theme for the event each year.

The theme for Earth Day 2026 is 'Our power, Our planet.'

Organisers are calling on communities worldwide to take action during Earth Week to support a number of environmental actions.

They include clean air, clean water, clean energy, protected natural resources and climate stability.

In previous years, themes have focused on various issues, including plastic pollution and species protection.