Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22nd to increase awareness of environmental protection. The 2016 theme was "Trees for the Earth", with a goal of planting 7.8 billion trees over 5 years to combat climate change, pollution, and species loss from deforestation. Trees provide numerous environmental, social, and economic benefits including producing oxygen, absorbing carbon dioxide, conserving water and soil, supporting wildlife, increasing property values, and more. The document outlines ways to celebrate Earth Day such as attending events, recycling, and planting trees to become better environmental stewards. It also provides information about the state flower and fruit of Maharashtra.