Earth Day Goes Digital
The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970 by 20 million Americans. At the time, that was an astounding 10 percent of the American population. That massive demonstration of support for environmental protection sparked some of the U.S.'s most popular environmental legislation, and since then Earth Day has grown into a globally organized event observed in over 190 countries.
April 22, 2020 will mark the 50-year anniversary of the first Earth Day. On this Earth Day, we are faced not only with the slowly building crisis of global climate change, but also pressing crisis of a global pandemic. While the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has resulted in the cancellation of in-person events and gatherings, this hasn't stopped Earth Day from moving forward in our digital world.
Earth Day NetworkThe coronavirus pandemic does not shut us down. Instead, it reminds us of what’s at stake in our fight for the planet. If we don’t demand change to transform our planet and meet our climate crisis, our current state will become the new normal — a world where pandemics and extreme weather events span the globe, leaving already marginalized and vulnerable communities even more at risk.
This April 22, join in the global digital mobilization with 24 Hours of Earth Day. While the 50th Earth Day may be going digital, the objective is the same: to mobilize the world to take action to protect our planet. The initiative will drive a call to actions both big and small, and give a diversity of voices the chance to make bold demands for humanity and planet Earth.
You can take part in online Earth Day events easily with the Earth Day Network's global map of digital events. With events tailored to different age groups and languages spread throughout the week, and with Earth Day Live on April 22 at EarthDay.org, there are many opportunities available for everyone to observe this year's Earth Day.
Interested in environmental sustainability beyond Earth Day? Check Government Information, Maps and Microform Services' comprehensive LibGuide on environmental research resources available through the library.
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