How to Celebrate Earth Day from Home

Next week– April 22, 2020 marks the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day! Although our communities are facing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still many ways to celebrate Earth Day and take actions to protect the planet throughout Earth Week and beyond.

To help everyone get involved with Earth Day this year, we put together a new Earth Day page on slcgreen.com dedicated to local and global events.

This year, many of the traditional Earth Day events have moved online in the form of panels, webinars, and virtual workshops around the world. While some plans have been put on hold, moving Earth Day online allows more people to get involved and helps everyone stay safe. The format may have changed this year, but taking action to protect the planet is more important than ever.

On our Earth Day page, you’ll find ways to engage on one of the biggest days of environmental action. Moreover, you’ll learn ways to make every day Earth Day.

Here are just a few events happening around the world and closer to home:

The Earth Day Network is launching a global citizen science challenge. Participants can download an app and help track plastic pollution and air quality. The data will be used to help direct policy and scientific research around the world.

In Salt Lake City, you can take direct action by joining the youth-led U.S. Climate Strike event Earth Day Live. The 3-day online event brings speakers and activists together for online discussions. Local organizations including Sierra Club, Fridays for Future Utah, The Sunrise Movement, and the People’s Energy Movement, are co-hosting the local Utah events – don’t forget to RSVP!

Local organization HEAL Utah is also organizing a screening of a Downwinders, a documentary on the effects of nuclear testing, which is an important, but not-always-known legacy in Utah. They’re also hosting several other events.

SLCgreen is also excited to participate in a live stream panel discussion with the Utah Sustainable Business Coalition, business leaders, and local nonprofits. The topic will center on COVID-19 & Climate Change, and how local organizations are taking action. How is this crisis similar to the climate crisis and what can we learn about resiliency?

Panelists include:

• Lt. Governor Spencer Cox
• Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall
• Ruth Todd (Nu Skin, VP of Public Affairs)
• Chance Thompson (Salt Palace Convention Center, Senior Manager of Sustainability & PR)
• Steve Bergstrom (IHC, Sustainability Director)
• Jeff Bousson (Utah Clean Energy, Climate Action Manager)
• Vicki Bennett (Salt Lake City Sustainability, Director)
• Deven Patten (Young Living, Sustainability Director)
• Adam Whitaker (Red Cross)
• Jen Lopez (Clever Octopus, Program Director)
• Melissa Allen (Make Salt Lake, Board President)

Check out the full list of events on our page!

We Want to See What You’re Doing for Earth Day!

We want to see how you’re taking action for Earth Day, too! Are you planting a new garden? Out enjoying the nature in your neighborhood? Perhaps you’re doing more at home to reduce, reuse, and recycle? Maybe you’re just turning your thermostat down a few degrees! Whatever the case may be, take a photo! Tag us (@slcgreen) or email it to slcgreen@slcgov.com to show us what you’re doing to make a positive impact for Earth Day.

Act on Climate: Celebrate Earth Day!

Our communities are working hard to flatten the curve and support those in need during the pandemic. Collective action can make a difference. For Earth Day, we challenge you to direct some of your collective energy to help the planet!

Be sure to check the full line-up of Earth Day events and support climate action in your community.