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Each year, on April 22nd, environmentalists, lawmakers, and people from all walks of life come together to celebrate Earth Day. This important event mobilises over one billion people worldwide to adopt habits and strategies to better protect our planet. In honour of this global action day, we’re taking a look at how hemp, an ancient and versatile crop, could help make a healthier planet.
Earth Day 2025 marks the 55th anniversary of the very first Earth Day, which was held in 1970. Since then, Earth Day Network has called upon individuals, businesses, and governments around the world to combat climate change, improve biodiversity, and preserve vulnerable ecosystems.
The theme for Earth Day 2025 is ‘OUR POWER, OUR PLANET’. The primary focus of this year’s event is to promote the use of renewable energy with the aim of tripling generation by 2030.
Today, most people have heard of hemp. Whether you associate it with sustainable clothing, CBD products, or even illicit cannabis, it’s likely you know something about this ancient plant. However, many people remain unaware of how significant a role hemp has played in human history.
Archaeological evidence indicates that hemp may be one of the oldest crops cultivated by humans. For over 10,000 years, hemp has been used as a source of nutrition, fibre for industrial uses, medicine, and for spiritual and religious practices. But perhaps the most impressive attributes of the hemp plant are linked to its environmental benefits. So, let’s take a closer look at some of hemp’s green credentials.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is rightly known as one of the most significant contributors to climate change. This common greenhouse gas is essential for maintaining the Earth’s atmosphere as it absorbs and radiates heat around the planet. However, when released in excessive amounts, CO2 can prevent heat from escaping into space, trapping it in the atmosphere.
Many human activities, including the use of fossil fuels such as coal and gas, are known to release high amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. Thankfully, nature has its way of dealing with this. Many plants are incredibly effective at absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. Moreover, hemp may well be one of the most efficient absorbers of this greenhouse gas.
Some research indicates that hemp may be more effective than trees and other crops at absorbing CO2. It is estimated to be able to absorb up to 20 tons of CO2 per hectare. These impressive statistics have led to calls for the expansion of hemp cultivation in the UK, with advocates suggesting such a move would “significantly increase UK biomass production and so reduce the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.”
Not only can hemp crops help to clear pollutants from the air, it is also known to remove heavy metals and other harmful compounds from the soil it grows in. It does so through a process known as phytoremediation.
Soil can become polluted with heavy metals as a result of several industrial processes, including mining and smelting. Other pollutants such as fertilisers, pesticides, and sewage can also make soil unusable for crop cultivation. Hemp’s deep-growing root system is adept at absorbing these toxic elements, effectively cleaning the soil and making it suitable for agriculture once more.
While it can sometimes seem impossible to make a difference in the face of climate change and other environmental issues, Earth Day is the perfect opportunity to get involved in these important efforts. Countless events and activities are being held all around the world, from taking part in rallies to signing petitions and spreading the word on social media.
So, for Earth Day 2025, why not get involved in your local area?
