5 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day’s 50th Anniversary

Today marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, launched on April 22, 1970 to celebrate the earth and organize for environmental change.

Twenty million Americans gathered in their communities on that first Earth Day to talk about the environment, march, or participate in community projects.

It was the start of a movement that has grown to 193 countries participating in this year’s Earth Day.

While this year’s Earth Day celebration is different—people around the world are isolated or have limited movement due to COVID-19 restrictions—we can still participate in Earth Day by talking, thinking, and learning about our environment.

From online livestreams, panel discussions, special TV shows and broadcasts, social media campaigns as well as home activities, everyone has an opportunity to get involved in Earth Day.

Check out the five ways you can celebrate and participate in Earth Day’s 50th anniversary.

1. Watch the Earth Day 50th Anniversary Livestream

The official Earth Day 50th Anniversary livestream kicks off at 9:00am Eastern Time (time zone converter) with discussions and readings featuring environmental advocates, journalists, politicians, scientists, and musicians, including

• Dr. Sylvia Earle
• Pope Francis
• Xiye Bastida
• Al Gore
• Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

2. Join NASA’s Challenge of Building Your Own Planet from LEGOs

I know there are several people who read my blog who are incredibly gifted LEGO creators. Join the challenge of building your own planet out of LEGOs and share your creations online.

Earthlings, assemble! 🌍

We’ve teamed up with @LEGO_Group to mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and we have a challenge for you: BUILD YOUR OWN PLANET! Share your creations using #LetsBuildTogether and #EarthDayAtHome so we can see your masterpieces! pic.twitter.com/PEg4ztxq0a

— NASA (@NASA) April 22, 2020

3. Attend Earth Institute at Columbia University Panel Discussions

From climate change to sustainability to student-only roundtable discussion and more, you’ll find a wide range of online presentations/talks/discussions about the environment from Columbia University’s Earth Institute.

Each online event starts at the top of the hour, some last for 30 minutes, others for one or two hours. The last event starts at 4:30pm Eastern Time.

4. Watch National Geographic’s The Hope Documentary with Jane Goodall

Follow activist Jane Goodall through her travels as she spreads a message of hope in the premiere of The Hope documentary at 9:00pm Eastern Time on the National Geographic TV channel.

5. Plant a Garden

If you want to get hands-on for today’s Earth Day celebration, there’s no better way than planting seeds or, if you have the opportunity, a tree or bush.

Whether you’re a first-time gardener or veteran at planting, the Farmer’s Almanac has helpful tips for gardening, from choosing wildflowers for your garden to selecting native plants for your garden in their Earth Day Activities at Home.

Wrapping Up

While we can’t participate in group activities, there’s a wealth of activities you can participate in today to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

I’ll be participating in several of the activities in this blog post.

How about you? I’d love to know what activities you’re participating in today. Share what you’ll be doing in the comments.