Earth Day's Global 2016 Theme: Trees For The Earth

Earth Day Network – This Earth Day, let's get really big stuff done for our planet.

What are we waiting for? The time is now.

The movement continues.

We are now entering the 46th year of a movement that continues to inspire, challenge ideas, ignite passion, and motivate people to action.

In 1970, the year of our first Earth Day, the movement gave voice to an emerging consciousness, channeling human energy toward environmental issues. Forty-six years later, we continue to lead with groundbreaking ideas and by the power of our example.

And so it begins. Today. Right here and right now. Earth Day is more than just a single day - April 22, 2016. It's bigger than attending a rally and taking a stand.

This Earth Day and beyond, let's make big stuff happen. Let's plant 7.8 billion trees for the Earth. Let's divest from fossil fuels and make cities 100% renewable. Let's take the momentum from the Paris Climate Summit and build on it.

Let's start now. And let's not stop.

Trees For The Earth

Over the next five years, as Earth Day moves closer to its 50th anniversary, we're calling on you to help us achieve one of our most ambitious goals yet - we're planting 7.8 billion trees and we're starting now.

Our planet is currently losing over 15 Billion trees each year (equivalent to 48 football fields every minute). In honor of Earth Day's 50th anniversary in 2020, Earth Day Network announced Trees for the Earth, a plan to plant 7.8 Billion trees by Earth Day 2020: one tree for every person on the planet. We invite you to join us!

Trees will be the first of five major goals we are undertaking in honor of the five-year countdown to our 50th anniversary. On their own and together, these initiatives will make a significant and measurable impact on the Earth and will serve as the foundation of a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable planet for all.

In planting 7.8 Billion trees, we will contribute to three major goals:

Mitigating Climate Change and Pollution

Planting trees absorb excess and harmful CO2 from our atmosphere. In a single year, it takes roughly 96 trees to absorb the amount of CO2 produced by one person. Trees also absorb odors and pollutant gases like nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and ozone, as well as filter particulates out of the air by trapping them on their leaves and bark.

Protecting Biodiversity

By planting the right trees, we can help counteract the loss of species, as well as provide increased habitat connectivity between regional forest patches.

Supporting Communities and their Livelihoods

Planting trees help communities achieve long-term economic and environmental sustainability and provide food, energy and income. Studies have shown that schools with tree cover have reduced asthma and lung disease rates and help students with ADHD concentrate for longer periods. Tree planting has a direct correlation to reduced crime rates, increased property values, reduced litter, higher social cohesion, and a number of other social and psychological benefits.