April 22nd 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. This year’s events and activities are centered around the theme climate action. However, because the majority of the world’s population is practicing social distancing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, much of the Earth Day celebrations have moved to digital formats. These are difficult circumstances, but it means that more people can partake in events that they might not have otherwise been able to. Below is a collection of virtual events and activities happening throughout Earth Day and the week surrounding it.
- The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is hosting a 24-hour webinar that will be split into 6 sessions focussing on different topics and regions of the world. You can review the schedule and register for one or all of the sessions here.
- The Earth Institute at Columbia University is hosting 5 events throughout the day on April 22nd. Particularly, a worldwide interactive live webcast titled Earth Day 50/50: Looking Back, Moving Forward. Participants have the opportunity to hear from experts in the field of environmental science about the history of the movement and what it needed moving forward. See the full schedule of the Earth Institutes events here.
- Check out the official Earth Day website to participate in what they’re calling 24 hours of action. Get different ideas on how you and your students can participate in a global digital mobilization around both climate change and the coronavirus.
- Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment is hosting a virtual event titled Earth Day Future 50: A Celebration. The event will feature experts from Stanford and other organizations and will be livestreamed for anyone to join. Other Earth Week events can be found here.
- Earthx is partnering with National Geographic for a week of events including conferences, speakers, and a film festival. There is also a list of youth-focused activities and events.
- NASA is celebrating #EarthDayatHome with a series of tv shows and events including talks with earth science experts, live Q&A with an astronaut, and social media takeovers.
- Earth Day Initiative is hosting a virtual kick-off event on Sunday April 19th with guests that include high-profile public officials and actors.
- Earth Day virtual mini film fest hosted by One Earth Film Fest. You can register to watch one or more free screenings and join discussion with experts via zoom.
- The Network of African Women Environmentalists is launching Earth Science Cafes. Each cafe event will have a different theme and the theme of the launch event is Deforestation, Disruption, and Pandemics.
- Climate of Emotions, taking place April 21st, is a series of talks on dealing with the emotional and psychological toll that climate change is taking on youth around the world.