The original founders of Earth Day organized the very first celebration in New York City on April 22, 1970, which garnered over 20 million Americans and shut down the streets of Manhattan. Since then, the organization and the movement continue to mobilize over one billion people around the world every year to renew our collective commitment to sustainability and take action toward a healthier planet. This annual event, which serves as a call to action for individuals and communities to protect earth’s most precious resources, directly aligns with Itron’s mission to create a more resourceful world. 

Image credit: Time Magazine

Four years later, Spokane, Washington hosted the 1974 World’s Fair (Expo ’74) and at that time, was the smallest city in history to host the event. Expo ‘74 was the first environmentally focused World's Fair, a change of pace from the common theme of tech of the future. Instead, planners used Expo '74 as an opportunity to pivot toward sustainability and the preservation of the planet for the future. The official theme of the expo was "Celebrating Tomorrow's Fresh, New Environment." 

Image credit: PBS Learning Media

When Itron was founded by a small group of innovative engineers just outside of Spokane in 1977, the region was well on its way to being recognized as a global leader in environmentalism and energy innovation, serving as a model for other community leaders as they developed their cities with sustainability in mind. Itron is and continues to be a key contributor and foundational partner in the energy innovation ecosystem that exists in the region. This summer, Spokane will host a 50th anniversary celebration of the World’s Fair that aims to reignite the nostalgia of this international milestone in Spokane’s history and invite new generations to carry the mantle of creating a cleaner and brighter tomorrow.  

Creating a more sustainable future starts with education. It plays a critical role in raising awareness and improving environmental literacy, while also inspiring citizens to engage in meaningful ways to act and create a more sustainable future. To this end, the Earth Day organization has themed this year’s campaign around Planet vs Plastics, with an unwavering commitment to end plastics for the sake of human and planetary health, demanding a 60% reduction in the production of ALL plastics by 2040. 

In addition to eliminating plastics, other key focus areas include climate education, tree planting, and the power of collective action. Whether it's through adopting greener practices in our everyday lives, advocating for policy changes or simply taking a moment to appreciate the natural beauty around us, every action counts. 

At Itron, through our commitment to corporate purpose and social responsibility, we are proud to provide educational programs and initiatives that strive to improve energy-water literacy, promote conservation and inspire future workforce generations toward career paths in our industry. To learn more about our efforts to create a more resourceful world, visit itron.com/socialresponsibility.  

Now more than ever, we must step up our collective efforts to create a healthier and happier planet for future generations to come. When we work together, the possibilities are endless. Happy Earth Day from Itron!