The year 2020 marks 50 years of World Earth Day. First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day is an annual event celebrated globally to express support for environmental protection.
In a press release, The United Nations says that “Earth Day is more important than ever before. As the battle with corona virus goes on, the need to take climate action has remained as urgent as ever”.
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres said, “Had we been further advanced in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, we could better face this challenge”.
The global pandemic prompted the organizers to shift Earth Day 2020 on ground events onto the digital and virtual platforms.
‘Earth Day Live’ from 22nd to 24th April is a three-day public event with a series of live streams of global conversations, positive acts, performances, webinars and events supporting urgent action on climate change.
Global leaders, Actors, Musicians and Activists will join for an empowering and inspiring live stream mobilization programs to strive towards the long term goal of building a society rooted in sustainability and justice.
While staying at home, anyone can join this global movement through this website www.earthday.org and demonstrate their concern for the planet.
One can sign-up for multiple events and actions big or small by ‘hosting a digital event’, ‘participate in Earth Day challenge’, ‘create your own act of green’ or ‘by spreading the word on social media’.
Three day activities:
- 22nd April: STRIKE – Earth Day and Youth Climate Strikes
- 23rd April: DIVEST – Divestment and Climate Financing
- 24th April: VOTE – Voter Registration and Political Engagement
As the world rushes to plan for a post-pandemic recovery, UNEP and other parts of the United Nations system see this as an opportunity to call attention to the need to “build back better.”
This occasion reminds me of Leo Tolstoy and I quote him “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself”.
Climate action is a collective responsibility and each one of us must play his part. Join the movement!
Hashtags to be used while posting on social media: #EarthDay2020 #EarthRise
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Source: UN Environment, edited by Vijay Malhotra
