Forty years after the first Earth Day, the world is in greater peril than ever. While climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, it also presents the greatest opportunity – an unprecedented opportunity to build a healthy, prosperous, clean energy economy now and for the future. Earth Day 2010 can be a turning point to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs. Earth Day Network is galvanising millions who make personal commitments to sustainability.
Earth Day is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. It was founded by US Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in held on 22 April 22 1970. Since then, Earth Day Network, a group that wishes to become the coordinator of Earth Day globally, asserts that Earth Day is now observed on 22 April in virtually every country on Earth.
Some of the programmes being implemented by Earth Day Network for Earth Day 2010 are as follows:
Green Curriculum: The History of Environmental Education
Earth Day Network has developed the Earth Day 40th Anniversary Curriculum, highlighting a history of the modern environmental movement. This curriculum will serve as a tool for engaging schools in Earth Day 2010. The Earth Day Network Education team has created a new, interactive platform to engage students, teachers and the general public on environmental education, which will also be featured on the 40th anniversary Web site. Earth Day Network is engaging educators worldwide to include these materials in their schools.
Billion Acts of Green
Environmental service is a cornerstone of annual Earth Day activities. Earth Day Network is mobilising its broad domestic and international community to encourage acts of environmental service in honour of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. At the core of this service program is the Billion Acts of Green initiative, an effort to collect effective environmental actions from individuals, corporations and governments to send a message to world leaders for urgent, meaningful change for the planet.
Earth Day Network is coordinating large and small-scale projects—from tree plantings to light bulb switch-out campaigns, home energy efficiency retrofits, school greenings and water projects, all geared to lower carbon footprints. In conjunction with community organisations, national, regional and local governments worldwide, actions include broad-based participation by diverse cultures and ethnicities, faith-based organizations, seniors and a global college campus campaign. Actions will be counted toward a Billion Acts of Green.
Acts of Green at School
Throughout the 2009-2011 school years, Earth Day Network working with a range of domestic and international youth service organizations, volunteer groups and corporate partners to plan and execute school greenings for the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. The Educators’ Network Web site, via the Earth Day 2010 Web page, features a menu of ideas for up to 100,000 educationally related events. Ranging from recycling campaigns to environmental education lesson plans, these events build on the service component of the Earth Day 2010 campaign, which support organizational and policy initiatives.
Global Day of Conversation
Today, the Global Day of Conversation will engage more than 500 mayors and locally elected officials around the world in separate conversations within their local communities on issues of climate, energy and sustainability. Mayors and elected officials are asked to adjourn and join their constituents to discuss how to make their communities and the world more sustainable. This Global Day of Conversation will illustrate the commitment of millions to make the natural environment a priority for 2010 and beyond.
The areas of emphasis include all major environmental issues facing the planet with significant impact at the local level, including energy efficiency, water conservation, transportation and economic opportunity through green jobs and clean industry. By bringing these issues to the forefront, local officials will help bridge the gap that exists in public engagement through education and a course of action.
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