On Wednesday, April 22, 2020, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the world’s largest environmental movement to drive transformative change for both people and the planet.
The theme for Earth Day 2020 is climate action. According to the Earth Day Network, climate change represents the single biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable. While climate change presents an enormous challenge, we also have many opportunities to work together and take action.
Reports around the globe have noted how shelter-in-place orders during the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in decreased pollution and an improved environment. We are getting a small glimpse into what a healthier environment might look like. However, the current pandemic also highlights our fragility and interdependence as species. Fortunately, there are many small, but impactful, things you can do to minimize your environmental footprint.
- Join Cooper’s Green Team here or by emailing Dr. Cerceo at: cerceo-elizabeth@cooperhealth.edu.
- Get involved with advocacy groups such as Physicians for Social Responsibility or Sierra Club.
- Minimize your travel, recycle, purchase thoughtfully, and eat a healthy, plant-based diet.
- Visit The Great Global Cleanup to help clean up your community and implement strategies to halt future litter at the source.
- Visit EARTHRISE to find a demonstration near you and use your voice to demand climate action.
- Visit Billion Acts of Green to register your Acts of Green and help us reach 3.5 billion global acts in 2020!
- Visit Vote Earth to take climate action to the polls and elect the best official for you!
Click here to view NASA’s images of Earth from Earth Day 2019.