PHOTOS: A Greener Earth (2024)

FAQs

Is the earth literally getting greener? ›

In the last four decades, the extent of green vegetation — i.e., the amount of leaves in a given area — has substantially increased across the planet, according to a number of recent scientific studies based on satellite data. There's actually more green space today, not less.

There is a reasonable chance 2024 will end with an average global temperature more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Governments have agreed, through the Paris Agreement, to work together to limit global warming to 1.5°C, because warming beyond this threshold poses enormous dangers for humanity.

The 2024 theme is “Planet vs. Plastics,” highlighting the urgent need to address the plastic pollution crisis. This year's theme is a call to action, urging individuals, businesses and governments to commit to significant reductions in plastic production and waste for the health of the planet.

Looking at remote sensing data from NASA's satellites, we've discovered that over the last two decades, the Earth has increased its green leaf area by a total of 5 percent, which is roughly five and a half million square kilometers—an increase equivalent to the size of the entire Amazon rain forest.

But by the 2030s, as temperatures rise, climate hazards are expected to increase all over the globe as different countries face more crippling heat waves, worsening coastal flooding and crop failures, the report says.

30 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, provides new evidence that global warming is on track to reach 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial averages in the early 2030s, regardless of how much greenhouse gas emissions rise or fall in the coming decade.

Increases in average global temperatures are expected to be within the range of 0.5°F to 8.6°F by 2100, with a likely increase of at least 2.7°F for all scenarios except the one representing the most aggressive mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions.

Once the plastic is in the ocean, it decomposes very slowly, breaking into tiny pieces known as microplastics, which can enter the marine food chain and become incredibly damaging to sea life. The main source of ocean plastic pollution is land-based—80% of plastic in the ocean originates on land.

Celebrated every April 22, this year, falling on a Monday, World Earth Day 2024 focuses on the theme "Planet vs Plastics," spotlighting the critical problem of plastic pollution and its detrimental effects on nature.

One such man was Gaylord Nelson, the father of Earth Day. Nelson had an idea that has now grown into a worldwide celebration for the planet.