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April 19, 2017
As the cherry blossoms bloomed in our nation’s capital, Washingtonians knew that spring had arrived. And soon after, the softly falling petals signaled the imminent arrival of another iconic event: Earth Day.
Proposed in Congress by former Senator Gaylord Nelson (WI), Earth Day created public support for the founding of the Environmental Protection Agency under President Nixon and for landmark environmental laws including the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Water Quality Improvement Act. The annual event celebrates our environment and elevates public consciousness about pollution and climate change.
We wanted to share some of the Earth Day festivities happening in Washington, D.C., and around the world this weekend. These are just a handful of the many great events taking place, but we think they really capture the spirit of Earth Day!
Saturday, April 22
8 AM: Gates to the main stage area open (Constitution Avenue NW at 15th and 17th Streets)
9 AM: Teach-in begins
10 AM – 2 PM: Main program (speeches, presentations, and musical performances)
2 PM – 4 PM: March to the U.S. Capitol
EESI is a proud partner of the Earth Day March for Science which will take place on Saturday April 22 in Washington, D.C. The nonpartisan March for Science is calling out the vital role science plays in our health, safety, economies, and societies. The program includes speeches, training sessions and musical performances, and culminates in a march to the U.S. Capitol. In addition to the Washington D.C. march, there are more than 500 satellite marches planned in 53 countries.
If you are interested in joining us at the D.C. March for Science, please RSVP.
More details: www.marchforscience.com/event-details
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/events/1223529671049101
10 AM – 2 PM
The National Zoo and its partner organization, Friends of the National Zoo, will celebrate Earth Day with sustainability focused, family-friendly events, including a tour of the Zoo’s green facilities, Earth Day presentations, and a conservation scavenger hunt. This Earth Day will be the launch of the first-ever Bike to the Zoo event!
More details: nationalzoo.si.edu/events/earth-optimism-day
Cleanup: 9 AM – 12 PM
Celebration: 12 PM – 2 PM
The Anacostia Watershed Society is inviting volunteers to pitch in and help clean the Anacostia River and its surrounding parks. Volunteers will join more than 2,000 passionate members of the local community in conserving the watershed that means so much to those who live and work in the greater D.C. area.
A party will be held after the cleanup as a thank you to volunteers (party location: Bladensburg Waterfront Park, 4601 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg, MD).
More details: www.anacostiaws.org/earthday2017
11 AM: March assembles at the front of the Science Museum
12 PM: March begins
2 PM – 3:30 PM: Rally in Parliament Square
London will celebrate Earth Day with one of the largest Marches for Science outside of the United States. Thousands of concerned scientists, activists and citizens will march through the streets of England’s capital to call for evidence-based policy on climate change and other global issues. The march will pass by some of England’s most prominent scientific institutions. The day will be capped off with a rally at Parliament Square led by “stars of comedy and science,” including comedian, writer and broadcaster Robin Ince, bioarchaeologist and author Dr. Brenna Hassett, and astronomer and broadcaster Dr. Francisco Diego.
More details: www.facebook.com/events/1699660986990593
10 AM – 6 PM
This year’s Earth Day festival in San Francisco will be paired with the city’s March For Science. The all-day festival offers something for people of all ages including live entertainment, organic celebrity chef showcases and sustainable food courts, and a variety of panel discussions and Eco Teach-Ins. Festival goers can also check out the electric vehicle showcase, the clean energy zone, and the kid’s zone.
More details: www.earthdaystreetfest.org
Saturday, April 22 from 10 AM – 8 PM
Sunday, April 23 from 10 AM – 7 PM
This weekend, around 1 million people will participate in several Earth Day events across Japan. One of the biggest Earth Day festivals will kick off at Yoyogi Park in Tokyo, with more than 100,000 people enjoying live performances, volunteering activities, and a variety of locally-grown foods. Festival goers will have the chance to connect with the people who grow their food, becoming more conscientious consumers and citizens.
More details: www.earthday-tokyo.org (Japanese only).
Author: Ben Topiel
Top-Rated Climate Nonprofit – 4-Star Charity