Some Earth Day Trivia

On the 38th anniversary of the first Earth Day, take a look at how the celebration—and the planet—have changed.

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 in 1970

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

Source: Plenty