Though we couldn’t physically take to the streets as people did for the first Earth Day in 1970, this year, millions of people still spoke up for the planet with 24 hours of action. Of course, unlike the first celebration, this year’s took place digitally.
According to earthday.org, the Earth Day Live stream on April 22 drew millions of viewers from around the world. “After 24 hours of continuous online content, millions reaffirmed their support for Earth Day and the environmental movement,” the organization reported.
The 50th anniversary, despite its circumstances, was a success. But our work to end the climate crisis is far from over. Many are proclaiming, 2020 is Earth Year.
However.
If, like me, you’ve been occupied with the COVID-19 pandemic, you (like me) might have missed some of the Earth Day 2020 virtual activities. We might have missed out on standouts such as Reverend Yearwood of Hip Hop Caucus, Bill Nye, Sylvia Earle, Al Gore, Elizabeth Warren, Ziggy Marley and Ricky Kej. Apparently, they touched topics like voting, science, climate justice, policy, conservation and education. Fortunately, we can still hear these voices that educated and entertained on Earth Day. Visit https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-live/ as they post videos from the day.
Right now, you can watch videos from Earth Day such as The Global Stealth Street Art Campaign.
Or, you can watch an hour-long concert for the Earth that ended Earth Day Live and featured more than 40 musicians from 6 countries.
On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, António Guterres, the secretary-general of the United Nations, urged the world, “We must act decisively to protect our planet from both the coronavirus and the existential threat of climate disruption.”
Finally, please join me in following Earth Day Network on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for updates. After all, this year’s Earth Day was like no other.
*Afterthoughts are my blog version of a practice followed in some Quaker meetings. After meeting for worship ends, people continue in silence for a few more minutes during which they’re invited to share thoughts or reflect on the morning’s worship. I’ve adopted the form here for last-day-of-the-month brief reflections on headlines, quotes, books, previous posts, maybe even bumper stickers and refrigerator magnets.
Iris Graville - Author 
I missed this too. Thanks for these clips–will look for more!
You’re welcome. One of the benefits of physical distancing is the ability to “gather” without burning so much fossil fuel. Plus, we can return to these sources of inspiration and action whenever needed.