Earth Day continues, virtually, as important as ever, for the sake of our planet. In light of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, from April 22, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, to April 24, instead of having people mobilize in the streets, the US Climate Strike Coalition will be holding Earth Day Live, a 72-hour, three consecutive day, live-stream event. Staff photo/Brian Larsen
Pandemic or no pandemic, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day will be celebrated Wednesday, April 22.
Locally, there is nothing planned for the community because of the governor’s orders to stay in place. That said, several people stated they would use their daily walks to collect litter and refuse on April 22 and continue with their efforts to lobby for carbon neutral policies, lobby for safe mining practices, and fight to restore the EPA, among other ways to help save the planet.
As for the annual Earth Day Grand Marais harbor beach cleanup, those plans may be pushed ahead and take place at a later date when the governor’s restrictions lift. Last year more than 70 volunteers collected a total of 187 pounds of trash from the beach on April 20, which coincided with the Adopt-a-Beach cleanup event held nationwide.
While maintaining social distancing will forestall any group events this year, Denny Fitzpatrick, one of the chief organizers of past local Earth Day proceedings, said, “I think everybody is just trying to cope with the new normal. Earth Day is so important, I hope we can keep it alive.”
This year’s theme is climate change. According to the Earth Day website, “Climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable.
“At the end of 2020, nations will be expected to increase their national commitments to the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change. The time is now for citizens to call for greater global ambition to tackle our climate crisis. Unless every country in the world steps up—and steps up with urgency and ambition—we are consigning current and future generations to a dangerous future.”
On April 22, 1970, the first earth day was held and it is estimated that 20 million Americans—10 percent of the US population at the time—took part in an environmental movement that led to the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts. In 2016, the United Nations chose Earth Day as the day to sign the Paris Climate Agreement into force.
However, Earth Day Network president Kathleen Rogers has said, “Progress has slowed, climate change impacts grow, and our adversaries have become better financed. We find ourselves today in a world facing global threats that demand a unified global response. For Earth Day 2020, we will build a new generation of environmentalist activists, engaging millions of people worldwide.”
As Fitzpatrick said, “Keep the hopes and dreams and spirit alive. Remember: Earth Day every day, There is no Planet B.”
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