Environment

15 Years Of Google's Earth Day Doodles

We've come a long way since 2001

By Dave Gershgorn

April 22, 2016

Google's first Earth Day doodle was in 2001, featured two views of the Earth. — Google's first Earth Day doodle was in 2001, and it featured two views of the Earth. (This is the highest-resolution image we could find—digital images have gotten way better since 2001.) Google's first official doodle for a holiday was in 2000, for Bastille Day.Google

The second doodle was a bit more reserved, with only one "O" replaced by the Earth. — The second doodle was a bit more reserved, with only one "O" replaced by the Earth.Google

Aliens, potentially Google employees, observe Earth from space. — Aliens, potentially Google employees, observe Earth from space in 2003's Earth Day doodle.Google

Returning to Earth, a very happy fish jumps from a pond. — Returning to Earth, a very happy fish jumps from a pond in 2004's doodle.Google

A simple nature scene with a purple bird. — A simple nature scene with a purple bird. Might be one of these!Google

Google promotes solar energy in 2006's doodle. — Google promotes solar energy in 2006's doodle. In 2016, Google uses renewable energy to power 35 percent of its data center operations.Google

A chilly reminder of why solar energy is so important. — A chilling reminder of why solar energy is so important.Google

2008 google doodle — This turtle is also chillin'.Google

2009 reef doodle — Google brings awareness about our reefs, which are now in dire trouble.Google

One of the more abstract doodle, Google looks up into the tree canopy in 2010. — One of the more abstract doodles, Google looks up into the tree canopy in 2010.Google

The 2011 doodle was the first animated Earth Day doodle. — This was the first animated Earth Day doodle, but it only plays correctly on Google's site. Ah, the pre-GIF era.Dave Gershgorn

2012

Instead of the traditional doodle, Google made a time-lapse of flowers growing in the shape of the company logo.Google

Another animated doodle that cycles through day and night. — Another animated doodle that cycles through day and night.Google

The tiny critters of land, air, and sea made an appearance in 2014's Earth Day doodle. — The tiny critters of land, air, and sea made an appearance in 2014's Earth Day doodle.Google

Google returns to form, replacing an "O" with a spinning globe. — Google returns to form, replacing an "O" with a spinning globe.Google

2016 google doodle — Google went all-out in 2016, with five Earth Day doodles. Each represents one of Earth's major biomes: the tundra, forest, grasslands, desert, and coral reefs. They're all illustrated by Google Doodler Sophie Diao.Google/ Sophie Diao

"Forest and Red Fox" — "Forest and Red Fox"Google/ Sophie Diao

"Aquatic/Ocean, Coral Reef and Octopus" — "Aquatic/Ocean, Coral Reef and Octopus"Google/ Sophie Diao

Desert and Tortoise — "Desert and Tortoise"Google/ Sophie Diao

Grasslands and Elephant — "Grasslands and Elephant"Google/ Sophie Diao

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