Love to your mother: Earth Day facts and figures
On the 38th anniversary of the first Earth Day, take a look at how the celebration—and the planet—have changed.
By Plenty staff
Illustration by Julia Hoffman
Earth Day was first celebrated on April 22, 1970, and has been growing strong ever since. Here’s a look back at our Earth Day roots.
20 Million: Number of people who celebrated the first Earth Day
200 Million: Number of people who celebrated Earth Day in 1990
500 Million: Number of people who celebrated Earth Day in 2000
175: Number of countries worldwide that celebrate a designated Earth Day
3.7 Billion: World population in 1970
6.6 Billion: World population in 2008
4,390,000: Number of Google hits for Earth Day
37,100,000: Number of Google hits for Green Day
111.2 Million: Number of vehicles on the road in the US in 1970
247.4 Million: Number of vehicles on the road in the US in 2005
20: Number of cars needed to emit the same amount of greenhouse gas emissions as one pre-1970 model
57.2°: Average global temperature from 1970-1979 (in degrees Fahrenheit)
58.3°: Average global temperature from 2000-2007 (in degrees Fahrenheit)
220,000: Tons of US lead emissions in 1970
4,000: Tons of US lead emissions in 2008
75: Percent increase in greenhouse gas emissions from 1970 to 2004
100 Million: Number of plastic bags thrown away annually in the US
0: Number of plastic bags available at Whole Foods as of Earth Day 2008
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