Join Digital World Earth Day

Fifty years ago, a 25-year-old graduate, Denis Hayes organised the first Earth Day. He had an idea, which brought out 20 millions Americans, an incredible success.  This was done before the arrival of smartphones, the internet and even computers which makes its success even more impressive. 2020 and half the world is currently in lockdown due to Covid-19, Earth Day is going digital this year, do you want to join in?

That first earth day, in 1970 brought together a range of issues affecting the planet at the time, including lead paint, rivers catching on fire and urban air pollution.  Today, we are looking at forest fires, air pollution and the main theme this year is climate change as a whole. Climate change, the biggest challenge we face for the future of humanity and the life-support systems enable us to inhabit the world we live in.

When we look at a map of the world, it would be difficult to see what has changed during those 50 years. The sea is still there, we can’t directly observe the affects of climate change and the earth keeps spinning on its axis. Right now, our planet seems united and together, for all of us are in the same position, this virus knows no borders.

While we may be apart this year due to Coronavirus, the power of digital means that we are more connected than ever before. Over 24 hours, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day will fill the digital landscape with global conversations, video teach-ins, calls to action and 24 hours of actions you can take right now wherever you are, and continue to take those actions when the day has passed.

Thousands of parents are currently home teaching, with the help from David Attenborough and other incredible teachers. This is a chance to get the whole family involved, never before have our generation stood still for long enough to observe what is going on around us. Time spent online tomorrow during Earth Day can be considered time well spent.  Spread the word, join in the events and we will see you there.