How To Make Every Day Earth Day

Every year on 22 April, the world pauses for Earth Day, a global event that mobilises billions of people in more than 200 countries across the world to highlight the spiralling effects of pollution, mass agriculture and deforestation leading to climate change. But what is Earth Day and why does it matter? The answer is neatly given in the wise words of Jane Goodall, the world-famous British primatologist and conservationist who dedicated much of her life to studying chimpanzees in the wild, and who sadly died in 2025.

Earth Day encourages us all to do our bit towards reducing our impact on the fragile ecosystems of our beautiful, giving planet. After all, it’s the only one we’ve got and no-one else is going to look after it for us. But what exactly is Earth Day and how did it come about?

The first Earth Day was celebrated on 22 April 1970, when United States Senator Gaylord Nelson organised a national demonstration to raise awareness of environmental issues in a country where industrial pollution was largely unregulated. He paired up with the conservation-aware Republican Congressman, Pete McCloskey, who recruited a young climate activist called Denis Hayes to organise a national “teach-in” about the environment on university campuses. Alongside this, hundreds of protest rallies took place across the country, with a staggering 20 million Americans taking part. By the end of that year, the US government had formed the Environmental Protection Agency, and Earth Day was born.

In the 1990s, Earth Day became an annual event celebrated with eco-friendly activities around the globe, and by the millennium had taken the issues of global warming to its heart. Today it regularly sees about 200 million people in 141 countries come together to protest against environmental damage, sending climate change issues to the very epicentre of the world stage. It has inspired the Paris Agreement on climate control, ratified by the United Nations on Earth Day 2016, while the Great Global CleanUp was launched in 2019, just a year before the 50th anniversary of the very first Earth Day.

Coordinated by Earthday.org, Earth Day is vital to our future thanks to its ability to raise pan-global awareness of environmental issues – it’s an annual reminder that we can act collectively to counteract our impact on our planet. Due to the sheer numbers now involved in each event, it’s also seen as a powerful political tool for driving environmental education and policy change at the highest governmental level. But don’t underestimate the power of the individual here… for everyone can show their commitment to conservation.

If you’d like to carry on the good works of Earth Day at home, every action – no matter how small – benefits the world.
 

• Recycle your waste. Cardboard takes two months to decompose in landfill, while plastic lasts more than 450 years before it breaks down.
   

• Plant a plant or tree. Around 15 billion oxygen-generating trees are cut down each year, so planting a tree or plant of your own will help offset that loss.
   

• Limit water usage. Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth, or take a shower instead of a bath.
   

• Turn off the lights. A lot of electricity is produced from the fossil fuels that affect climate change, so conserve it by using only what you need.
   

• Go on a litter pick. Volunteer to pick up rubbish at a local park and help clean up the planet!
   

• Buy second hand. Fast fashion contributes to water shortages, air pollution, deforestation and microplastic contamination in our oceans. Buy vintage clothes to make a personal difference and help towards global sustainability.

If you care about the environmental impact of your travel, you’re in great company at Novotel – many of our family-orientated hotels across Europe have been awarded their Green Key certification. By staying at a more sustainable hotel that works to reduce waste, you’re minimising your own carbon footprint.

Novotel has partnered with the WWF to focus on marine conservation. We hope to educate guests, staff and local communities on the importance of clean oceans and how they can help too.

Our hotels are often deeply involved in the communities around them, partnering with local food producers and artisans to create long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships.

Thoughtful design minimises carbon footprints and maximises guest comfort. Natural ventilation, passive heating and cooling, recycled materials and abundant daylight all help reduce energy use while shaping serene, inviting spaces.

Did you know staying at a more sustainable hotel can help improve your mental and physical health? Natural materials, healthy cuisine and soothing design all contribute to a sense of serenity and help you unwind.

Novotel is minimising plastic use (no more plastic water bottles in your room), water consumption (laundry is washed with water-efficient machines) and carbon emissions (there are electric charging stations in the car parks).

We are working on the catering side to reduce meat and fish consumption, minimise food waste and hone more sustainable seafood policies.

We encourage you to choose slow travel whenever possible, whether that’s taking trains rather than planes to your destination, or using public transport rather than cars to get around.

If you travel regularly for work, your hotel choices really matter. Our hotels offer more sustainable features for business travel such as locally sourced event catering.

Looking to incorporate some Earth Day principles into your next French holiday? Learn more about sustainable travel or plan a cycling holiday in Brittany.