As an effort to contain the faceless coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), countries across the globe have implemented lockdowns, including the Philippines where enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is strictly observed.
Due to the outbreak and the promotion of social distancing, upcoming events have either been cancelled or postponed. On the other hand, companies manage to make do with the technology and maximize their way around it.
Right now, the world is taking a pause. Pollution have drastically reduced due to the quarantine; noise in the airports aren’t heard for a while now; the horizons have never been cleaner since the absence of smoke-belching vehicles; the roads have never been more dormant.
The planet may be hitting the breaks from the toxicities but the annual Earth Day won’t. No outbreaks nor global crises are going to hinder them from promoting environmentalism. So, for its 50th anniversary, Earth Day 2020 goes digital.
In addition to marking another milestone, what makes Earth Day 2020 more momentous is because for the first time ever, the event will take place inside your homes.
With the theme, “Climate Action”, Earth Day 2020 aims to tackle the “most pressing topic” they have.
“The enormous challenge — but also the vast opportunities — of action on climate change have distinguished the issue as the most pressing topic for the 50th anniversary,” the website stated.
“Climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable,” it further explained.
Here are some ways to join in on the 3-day digital event:
Attend a digital event
Kick off the celebration with Earth Day Live!
Earth Day Live is a series of livestreams consisting of community events. Stay tuned as it will feature activists and celebrities such as Aimee Mann, Bill McKibben, Jason Mraz and Joaquin Phoenix.
Philippines, as of press, has organized events ranging from watch parties to cooking classes. So far, there are seven digital gatherings around the country. Check out the page here
Watch films about environmentalism
Immerse yourself further with the “climate action” theme by watching films and documentaries revolving the issue.
Here are some suggestions to help you choose:
For the kids and kids-at-heart: Dr Seuss: The Lorax (2012), Wall-E (2008), Arctic Tale (2007), and Happy Feet (2006).
For the movie buffs: Interstellar (2014), Dark Waters (2019), Avatar (2009), and Snowpiercer (2013).
For the documentary enthusiasts: The Story of Plastic (2019), Before the Flood (2016), An Inconvenient Truth (2006), and Sustainable (2016).
Learn and share
Thanks to the NASA Earth Day 2020: 50th Anniversary Toolkit, you now have more access to scientific resources. Maximize this learning opportunity by checking out their programs, games, videos, e-books, posters, etc.
Take the Earth Day daily challenge
Spend your free time by engaging yourself on Earth Day’s 22-day challenge! Use the hashtags #EarthDay2020 and #EARTHRISE when posting on social media.
As we mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, let us not forget that each of us has a responsibility of cherishing planet Earth not just our own sake, but for the future generations’ as well. Let us encourage everyone to join and participate on this year’s event because what might seem little to you, actually goes a long way.
