Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22, marks a pivotal moment to reflect on our planet's health and renew our commitment to environmental stewardship. Earth Day 2024 takes on special significance as the world faces unprecedented challenges, from climate change to biodiversity loss.

This Earth Day, UC San Diego Extended Studies joins the worldwide call to celebrate our planet by becoming educated about sustainability. By participating in meaningful Earth Day activities, we can help advance ideas and actions to protect the planet for future generations.

The History of Earth Day

Earth Day was first celebrated on April 22, 1970, marking the birth of the modern environmental movement. It was founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson, who was inspired by student anti-war efforts to create a day that would harness a groundswell of enthusiasm in building awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. Since then, Earth Day has grown into a global event, with millions of people around the world participating in activities to promote environmental protection and sustainability.

Earth Day 2024 Theme: Planet vs. Plastics

The theme for Earth Day 2024 is "Planet vs. Plastics" highlighting the urgent and specific need to end the use of plastics for the sake of human and planetary health. As we face the dramatic impacts of climate change, pollution, and deforestation, rebuilding our Earth's natural balance has never been more critical. This Earth Day is an opportunity to commit to taking action to restore our planet and create a more sustainable future for all.

How You Can Get Involved

There are many ways to get involved in Earth Day activities and make a positive impact on the planet. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

• Sign the EDO Global Plastics Treaty petition: Add your voice to help mobilize global action in counteracting plastic pollution and its far-reaching consequences.
• Take the #PlasticsDetoxChallenge: Inspire a wider shift towards a plastic-free lifestyle.
• Join a Cleanup Event: Participate in a local cleanup event to help remove plastic litter and pollution from your community.
• Support Sustainable Practices: Choose products and companies that prioritize sustainability and eco-friendly practices.
• Educate Yourself and Others: Learn more about environmental issues and share your knowledge with others to raise awareness.

For more ideas, visit UC San Diego’s sustainability calendar.

UC San Diego Extended Studies Courses on Environment and Sustainability

For your personal and career growth, UC San Diego Extended Studies offers an Environment and Sustainability Program, with a wide range of courses that can help you deepen your understanding of environmental issues and sustainability.

Presenting options within the categories of Environmental Management, Sustainability, and Urban Planning and Preservation, and providing several professional certificates, UC San Diego Extended Studies is committed to providing cutting-edge training to address the challenges of sustainable development.

Whether you're seeking a broad and basic overview of sustainability science and practices, want to develop your knowledge about business and policy measures, or you’re interested in leading change in industry or community organizations, there's a course for you.

Here are some examples of courses offered:

• Introduction to Sustainability: This course provides the basics about environmental sustainability and scientific methods for measuring the effectiveness of eco-friendly practices.
• Measuring Sustainable Impact: Learn how to measure the impact of sustainability programs and create a plan for making changes for a business or organization.
• The Sustainable Supply Chain: Understand how actions taken within supply chain processes impact the global resources and learn about successful supply chain best practices.
• Behavior Change Strategies for Sustainability: Explore the strategies and tools needed to change individual behavior and promote environmental protection.
• Bending the Curve: Climate Change Solutions for the Investment and Financial Sector: Tailored for finance and investment executives, this course delves into climate change risks, empowering leaders to drive mitigation efforts and make lasting impacts through strategic business choices.

Pre-College Courses for the Next Generation of Sustainability Champions

Earth Day presents an opportunity for youths of all ages to explore sustainability practices that will influence their generation's future. UC San Diego Extended Studies offers pre-college programming with hands-on, experiential education to empower young people to understand and advance ideas for a healthy planet.

Some key programs include:

• Global Environmental Leadership and Sustainability (GELS): Allows high school students to engage with and address the most pressing environmental issues with hands-on education in remote locations.
• Research Scholars: Marine Science: Empowers high school students to share learning, network with peers, and become environmental advocates.

From Sally Ride Science Academy @ UC San Diego:

• Elementary School: Tiny Houses: Students learn about architecture, social responsibility, and community as they envision and design their own tiny houses.
• Middle School: Envisioning and Designing Sustainable Cities of the World: Participants discover the synergy of city planning and sustainability.
• Middle School: Beyond Stone Soup-Planetary Cuisine, Climate, and Cultivation: Students explore food’s journey from Earth to plate, deliciously.
• High School: Envisioning and Designing Sustainable Cities of the World: Participants design their future cities, blending ancient wisdom with modern sustainability.

Conclusion: Earth Day is Every Day

Earth Day 2024 reminds us that we all have a role to play in protecting our planet each and every day. We can effect change through our different spheres of influence by taking dedicated actions at home and at work to protect and restore our Earth. By seeking education through courses like those at UC San Diego Extended Studies, we can become actively engaged in solutions to creating a more sustainable future for ourselves and future generations.

This Earth Day, UC San Diego Extended Studies challenges you to make a commitment to the planet and join us in working together to build a healthier, more sustainable world.

Learn more about UC San Diego Extended Studies courses and certificates by visiting extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/sustainability.