This page presents the 2023 environmental calendar, a month-by-month guide to key ephemerides and Earth days focused on environmental topics. These dates invite reflection and mindfulness as the year begins.
January
January 17 marks the anniversary of the Palomares incident in 1966, when two US Air Force planes collided over Almería, dropping four thermonuclear bombs. The bombs did not explode, but the event raised radiologic levels in the area.
January 26 is World Environmental Education Day, dedicated to promoting environmental literacy across all levels of formal education to deepen understanding of nature.
January 28 is Earth Day for Reducing CO2 Emissions, a date set by the United Nations to encourage societies and institutions to cut pollutant emissions and protect the atmosphere.
February
February 2 is World Wetlands Day, focusing on building knowledge about wetlands, vital ecosystems for many species of plants and animals.
February 17 to 23 is the week to fight energy poverty, highlighting that about a quarter of households face energy poverty due to rising energy costs.
March
March 3 is World Wildlife Day, aimed at increasing interest in wildlife around the globe.
March 5 is World Energy Efficiency Day, dedicated to spreading information about energy-saving methods and their practical use.
March 11 is the anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, when a major earthquake and tsunami caused explosions and radioactive release, leading to widespread evacuations.
March 14 is the International Day of Action for Rivers, established to emphasize the importance of river systems within ecosystems.
March 20 is a pesticide-free week, a time to communicate the health and environmental risks posed by agricultural pesticides.
March 21 is International Forest Day, a moment to reflect on the role forests play in ecological balance and biodiversity.
March 22 is World Water Day, highlighting the status and conservation of this essential resource.
March 24 marks the anniversary of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska in 1989, when a tanker released vast hydrocarbons and polluted thousands of kilometers of coastline.
March 28 is the anniversary of the Three Mile Island accident in 1979, when a nuclear plant experienced core damage and released radioactivity; debates continue about long-term health effects.
April
April 17 is World Peasant Struggle Day, honoring villagers who contributed to agrarian reform, food sovereignty, and the protection of nature through collective action.
April 20 is the date of the Deepwater Horizon incident in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, when a blowout release millions of liters of oil over many days.
April 22 is Earth Day, dedicated to promoting planetary care from an environmental perspective.
April 26 commemorates the Chernobyl nuclear accident in 1986, when a reactor explosion released large amounts of radiation across Europe, with ongoing debates about long-term impacts.
April 27 is International Noise Awareness Day, focused on reducing noise pollution in urban centers.
April 29 marks Cabrera’s declaration as a National Park in the Balearic Islands, recognizing its protected status.
May
May, the second Saturday, is World Migratory Bird Day, raising awareness of the routes and habitats critical to protecting migratory birds.
May 20 is World Bee Day, highlighting the essential role of bees in pollination and ecosystem health.
May 22 is World Biodiversity Day, sharing information about the planet’s living diversity and its importance.
May 24 is European Parks Day, celebrating protected areas such as nature parks, national parks, and nature reserves.
June
June 3 is World Bicycle Day, promoting bicycling as a clean and sustainable form of transport.
June 5 is World Environment Day, aimed at raising awareness about environmental protection.
June 8 is World Oceans Day, dedicated to protecting the seas and their ecosystems.
June 17 is World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.
June 21 is National Energy Day in many contexts, highlighting energy’s benefits for humanity.
June 24 is International Day Against Electromagnetic Pollution, addressing health concerns tied to exposure to electromagnetic fields from high voltage sources.
June 28 is World Tree Day, dedicated to understanding the environmental role of trees.
July
July 3 is International Plastic Bag Free Day, encouraging avoidance of single-use bags.
July 21 is World Dog Day, a reminder to care for canine companions.
July 22 marks the anniversary of Spain’s first National Park, established in the Picos de Europa region in 1918 and expanded in 1995.
July 26 is International Mangrove Defense Day, emphasizing the ecological importance of mangroves.
July 28 recalls the passage of Spain’s Coastal Law in 1988, a landmark regulation for protecting the coastline.
August
August 6 is the anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing in 1945.
August 8 is International Cat Day, a day dedicated to cats and their well-being.
August 9 is International Day of Indigenous Peoples, focusing on the plight and rights of indigenous communities facing habitat loss.
August 29 is International Day Against Nuclear Tests, a call to end atmospheric and underground nuclear testing.
September
September 7 is International Clean Air Day, established to raise awareness about tackling air pollution.
September 16 is International Day of Conservation of the Ozone Layer, honoring the healing of this protective atmospheric layer.
September 21 is International Day of Peace, promoting a culture of peace and nonviolence.
September 21 also marks the International Day Against Monoculture Tree Plantations, highlighting harms of large-scale monocultures.
September 22 is European Car Free Day, encouraging sustainable mobility and public transit use.
September 26 is International Day for the Complete Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, a global plea for a total ban.
September 29 is International Day to Combat Food Waste, focusing on reducing food waste worldwide.
October
First weekend of October is World Bird Day, spreading awareness about bird species and conservation.
October 19 is the anniversary of Vandellós I accident in 1989, a fire in a turbine area that did not release radioactivity.
October 29 is World Downsizing Day, addressing the pace of economic growth and its impact on social welfare and the environment.
November
November 13 is the Prestige tanker accident anniversary, a 2002 event where a ship carrying oil sank off Galicia, with thousands of volunteers aiding cleanup.
The Friday after the fourth Thursday of November is International Day Against Consumerism, a day without purchasing new items.
November 20 marks the declaration of Cabañeros as a National Park in 1995, recognizing its protected status in Castilla-La Mancha.
December
December 5 is International Soil Conservation Day, raising awareness of soil protection and land stewardship.
December 11 is World Mountain Day, emphasizing the need to protect mountain ecosystems.
December 31 commemorates the Riaño reservoir development in 1987, an event that displaced multiple communities and altered landscapes.
……….
End of calendar notes. This resource remains a practical annual reference for environmental awareness, policy milestones, and conservation milestones across North America and beyond.