Earth Day's 50th anniversary goes digital amid coronavirus pandemic, with virtual protests, video teach-ins and more
It still will be — just virtually.
With social distancing restrictions in place around the world to fight the spread of coronavirus, the millions of people who were expected to fill parks, stadiums, universities and plazas around the world on Wednesday to mark the annual day devoted to environmental protection will instead rally online.
"Amid the recent outbreak, we encourage people to rise up but to do so safely and responsibly — in many cases, that means using our voices to drive action online rather than in person,” Kathleen Rogers, president of Earth Day Network, said in a press release.
There are many ways people can participate: protesting virtually; creating a poster and sharing it on social media with hashtags like #EarthDayNetwork; attending a virtual presentation organized by students, universities and other leaders; watching a performance; playing trivia games; and more.
Earth Day activities for children: From a cereal box guitar to paper beads to a milk carton bird feeder.
"We're super happy that we have these great online activities, but we are looking forward to being outside and volunteering, planting trees, doing cleanups, signing petitions, registering people to vote," Rogers told USA TODAY.
The Earth Day Network created a citizen science initiative called Earth Challenge 2020 with the U.S. Department of State's Eco-Capitals Forum and the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C., that allows people to engage with science through a smartphone app.
"It's sort of one-click activism," said Rogers, adding that users can upload photos and alert their local government of any plastic pollution in their communities.
Hot, hot, hot: 2020 expected to be Earth's warmest year on record, scientists say
This data will allow researchers to identify the world's most affected areas.
The Earth Day Network also has an online database that people can search to find digital events across the world, such as a Facebook Live in which local business owners in Arizona will discuss how they're addressing climate change — this year's theme for Earth Day.
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