NY J01395

Commemorates the 56th Anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, 2026, recognizing it as a day to celebrate the environment and revitalize protection efforts

Earth Day began in 1970 when U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin called for an environmental teach-in, with over 20 million people participating in the first event

Earth Day is now observed annually by more than 500 million people and national governments in 175 countries

Encourages New York residents, businesses, and institutions to use Earth Day to commit to building a sustainable society through recycling, energy conservation, efficient transportation, and ecologically sound lifestyles

Acknowledges ongoing environmental challenges including climate change, ocean pollution, deforestation, toxic waste, and impacts on environmental justice communities