The first Earth Day, which is widely credited as launching the modern environmental movement, happened on April 22, 1970, as a response to an environment in crisis. 10% of the U.S. population at the time — 20 million Americans — rallied on the streets, college campus, and throughout cities across the country to protest and demand a new way forward. The initial Earth Day prompted a series of significant actions, including the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts, as well as the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).¹
This year is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, and citizens around the world are invited to participate online because of restrictions caused by COVID-19, including recommendations to stay home and self-isolate. Each year, the message and purpose behind Earth Day grows in importance as we face new and ongoing challenges, including this year’s theme of “Climate Action.” Climate change has been identified as the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable.
We’ve compiled the following list of virtual events below that you can attend to help the environment from the comfort of home.
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Watch Earth Day Network's video - "March for Science: Mark Tercek"
Earth Week Kickoff - Sunday, April 19
4:00 PM - 10:00 PM Eastern
Join Earth Day Initiative and March for Science NYC who will demonstrate what we can do to empower one another and connect with people around the world to make positive steps forward, even remotely. Learn how we can use technology and find out what activism can look like in the 21st Century.
Kick off Earth Week with a virtual stage of high-profile speakers, including public officials, activists, scientists, and performers like Senator Elizabeth Warren, NRDC President and CEO & Former EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, Climate Scientist Katherine Hayhoe, Actor Ian Somerhalder, and many, many more.
Attend virtual workshops including interactive presentations and sessions led by activists and scientists. Explore virtual exhibitor booths featuring environmental campaigns and sustainable causes.
Click here to learn more and RSVP for free. Download the Social Media Kit to help spread the word.
A Deep Dive Into Food: Earth Day Webinar - Monday, April 20
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Eastern
Zero Waste Workshop Series is teaming up with Rhodora's Wine Bar to discuss their sustainable business practices as well as Farm to People's delivery service operations. You’ll also hear from one of their farmers about what it's like to grow local food. Additional content includes food waste in NYC, food packaging, the current state of composting, and ways you can help reduce your own environmental "foodprint."
Tickets available by donation. Click here for more information.
Nature in Poetry with Bob Holman - Tuesday, April 21
1:00 PM Eastern
Poets House in New York City will virtually host legendary slam poet, former Nuyorican Poets Café co-director, and Bowery Poetry Club founder Bob Holman for a midday reading and talk honoring the upcoming 50th anniversary of Earth Day.
Admission is free. Click here for more information.
Earth Day Virtual Connector - Tuesday, April 21
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Eastern
Celebrate Earth Day virtually with the Be Social Change community to hear from leaders and organizations sharing practical ways each of us can protect and restore our planet. This event will also include interactive online networking where you can meet and connect with inspiring, purpose-driven people who are innovating within the world of sustainability and making a positive impact for a greener planet with their daily decisions.
Admission is $5 for the public, free for Be Social Change members. Click here for tickets and more info.
Digital Earth Day: 24 Hours of Action - Wednesday, April 22
All day long
Join Earth Day Network for 24 hours of action in a global digital mobilization that drives actions big and small, gives diverse voices a platform, and demands bold action for people and the planet. No matter where you are, you can join in and help make a difference:
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Speak Up: Share what you’re doing today, and from where you are. What are you fighting for, what compels you to act, and why are you in this fight? Add your voice to this global demand for action with the shared hashtag #EarthDay2020.
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Act: Earth Day Network will issue 24 actions that you can take now for the planet, no matter where you are. Every hour, on the hour, we’ll have a new, powerful way for you to demand action and drive change.
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Vote: Send a message to your leaders on April 22, and get registered, educated and ready to vote in your elections in 2020. Earth Day Network has ways to get involved in local, state and national politics as part of the Vote Earth campaign.
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Educate: A dozen of the world’s most inspiring musicians, artists, scientists and thought leaders will use the power of digital teach-ins to share their experience, their expertise and their lessons to a global audience across the 24 hours of Earth Day. We need you to share your knowledge and wisdom as well. Bring your friends, your family, your coworkers and your neighbors into this global digital conversation to share how you’re taking local action to meet this global crisis.
For complete details, visit the Digital Earth Day website.
Explore the Trees of Prospect Park - Wednesday, April 22
11:00 AM - Noon Eastern
Prospect Park Alliance is teaming up with Turnstile Tours for a special online event. Explore Brooklyn's largest forest with Prospect Park Alliance forest ecologist Howard Goldstein. You will learn about some of the park's 30,000 trees, ongoing forest maintenance and restoration projects, and how the Alliance is adapting to challenges like climate change, invasive species, pests, and extreme weather events.
NYU Earth Day Symposium Webinar - Wednesday, April 22
11:00 AM - Noon Eastern
Join New York University in honoring the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day with a virtual panel discussion on the impacts of COVID-19 on climate change. Attend this timely webinar to learn about how the novel coronavirus pandemic has changed the landscape of climate action as we know it, as well as lessons it can teach us about resilience in times of uncertainty.
Click here the webinar link and more information.
Art + Environment: An Essential Dialog - Thursday, April 23
Noon - 1:30 PM Eastern
Earth Day Network is teaming up with Art Museum of the Americas for this webinar event. Hear from panelists like painter Freya Grand, photographer Cristina Mittermeier, sculptor and environmental activist Paul Villinski, and Princeton Museum Curator Karl Kusserow discuss how fine art impacts global environmental awareness.
Click here to register for free.
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Watch New York Restoration Project's video - "The Unlocked City"
Make a Financial Contribution
And finally, if you would like to make a financial contribution to groups helping the environment, please visit the donate page of for each of our partner websites to donate and learn more:
Sources:
¹ https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2020/
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