Earth Week 2020: What Will It Look Like? List of Online Virtual Events

(Our Daily Planet) ... Earth Day will still be celebrated, just not as planned. Instead, multiple virtual events will take the place of previously scheduled festivities. ...

The Agenda:

Smithsonian Earth Optimism Summit – Virtual Event April 22-24th

The Smithsonian is hosting its annual optimism event that showcases stories of both small and large-scale actions that demonstrate that success is possible in conservation. The event will be virtual with panel discussions, art displays, films and a call to action on Earth Day by Denis Hayes, the organizer of the Original Earth Day. Using the hashtag #EarthOptimism they hope to inspire the world for greater impact.

Make sure you tune in for the conversation on “The science (& stories) of how animals bring us happiness,” on Thursday at 9AM ET which will be moderated by Monica and will highlight Gallup polling data and the World Happiness Report on what brings humans happiness, along with stories and anecdotes from the field of how wildlife, nature, and animals bring us joy—especially in challenging times like these

World War Zero – Earth Day Inside Town Hall Series – starting April 20th at 7PM ET

Secretary Kerry’s World War Zero initiative will host a series of virtual town halls April 20-22. The kick-off event will feature Secretary Kerry, Secretary Ernest Moniz, Bill Nye, and former “Grey’s Anatomy” star Kate Walsh.

Earth Day Network – Earth Day Live Virtual Event on April 22nd

The Earth Day Network is sponsoring 24 hours of action on April 22nd to encourage actions big and small, giving diverse voices a platform and demanding bold action for people and the planet. Over the 24 hours of Earth Day, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day will fill the digital landscape with global conversations, calls to action, performances, video teach-ins, and more. Their goal is to mobilize the world to take the most meaningful actions to make a difference.

Earth Day 2020 Aspen Institute – Virtual Panel on April 22nd, 3-4:30 PM ET

Co-hosted by the Energy Futures Initiative, the event will begin with remarks by Former Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz followed by a panel discussion on the climate and health nexus. Experts will discuss the impacts of climate change on human health, highlighting economic, security, and social equity issues.

EarthX Earth Day Virtual Celebration – April 22nd 12 noon – 7:30 PM ET

This is a celebration co-sponsored by the National Geographic Society. The event schedule has not been released yet. The headlining speaker appears to be Tia Nelson, the daughter of Senator Gaylord Nelson, but there are also several Republicans on the program, including the Chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Republican Congressman Bruce Westerman of Arkansas, as well as Teddy Roosevelt IV. Here is where to find the schedule of events, once it is released.

One Cool Thing: NASA celebrates Earth Day with downloadable art.

Cosmos: Just in time for Earth Week, the Lyrid meteor shower will reach its peak this week. Coronavirus lockdown may make backyard stargazing easier in some places due to lessened pollution. READ MORE

Earth Optimism Summit 6 PM to Midnight ET Film Night – Click here to register and for full 4-day event schedule.
World War Zero Earth Day Inside Live Stream 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM ET – Click here to register
EarthX E-Capital Summit 11:30 AM to 6 PM ET
EarthX Documentary Films and Performances from 1 PM – 10 PM ET

Help Register Environmental Voters: At 4 PM ET Today join the Environmental Voter Project and get a briefing on their work to mobilize environmental voters in key swing states and then get training on how to phone bank and begin calling voters at 4:30 pm EDT. This is work you can do from home on an ongoing basis and it will help turn voters out in upcoming primaries and in the general election in November.

Make Small Lifestyle Changes: Good Housekeeping Magazine Has 45 Suggestions That Are Easy To Do. Things like turning off the faucet more quickly can save 8 gallons of water a day. Or use a cloth towel instead of paper towels — especially now when they are in such short supply.

Become A Citizen Scientist: Use the Earth Challenge 2020 app to gather environmental data in your neighborhood — you can help measure air quality and plastic pollution. Users can take readings throughout the day to track how human activity and weather patterns change the air we breathe. Each reading will add to a global database of knowledge and help us understand

Do Something Eco Friendly With Your Kids: Young people are leading the movement — start your kids on the same path with an art project like making an Earth Day poster, watching animals at a zoo Livestream like this one by the San Diego Zoo, or giving them an Earth Day quiz. READ MORE