This week marks Earth Week 2020, a whole week dedicated to thinking about the world around us and how we can make a positive difference to the issues we see. This year, itâs all gone digital - meaning you can take part wherever you are, whatever youâre doing! The 22 April is officially Earth Day, where you can complete activities about reducing climate change and discuss ideas about small things you can do to make a big impact.
What is Earth Day?
The networkâs mission is to âbuild the worldâs largest environmental movement to drive transformative change for people and the planet.â. The first Earth Day was held on 22 April 1970 and since then over one billion people have taken pledges and action to clear up the planet. They have over 75,000 partners in 190 countries working to make a better world for future generations. Leading up to the first Earth Day, US citizens were consuming lots of fossil fuels and polluting the planet with smoke and other fumes (with no fear of punishment from the law). In 1962, Rachel Carson published âSilent Springâ, which became a bestseller and raised the public attention surrounding the environment. Twenty years later, Earth Day 1990 went global as millions around the world took action to clean up their planet. Fast-forward another 30 years, and Earth Day 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of this global movement - it is still as important today as it was half a century ago.
How is the world celebrating Earth Day 2020?
To mark the 50th anniversary, hundreds of digital events are being hosted across the world as people join the global discussion about the environment. You can join in their live stream on 22 April here. This year, the focus is on making sure that the climate change crisis is taken seriously and that everybody's voice is heard.
Twenty-four hours of action will take place, aiming to fill the digital landscape with awareness campaigns and calls for action.
