The 2020 Earth Day celebration this year marks the 50th-anniversary of the event in the United States. Unlike years prior, however, this year will not be marked by mass crowds or demonstrations as the United States grapples with the COVID-19 epidemic.
President Trump celebrated the occasion by planting a maple tree in the south lawn of the White House with First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence. Trump opened up the planting’s speech by remarking that the reporters were “very far away from each other, that’s good.”
Celebrities, environmentalists, various organizations and average person have taken to social media virtually to celebrate and call attention to the environment for Earth Day 2020.
Earth Day was originally celebrated in the United States on April 22, 1970, after environmentalist students and faculty organized mass demonstrations to bring attention to the environment and the Earth’s health. 20 million demonstrators from across the United States, protested and organized for environmentalism according to the Earth Day Network.
According to the Earth Day Network, upwards of 1 billion have mobilized in over and 190 countries since the original day.
The Earth Day Network had planned big for its 50th, with aims to “to mobilize a billion people worldwide for transformative action for our planet”. With a row of initiatives and plans to begin for the future.
Due to the epidemic, however, the demonstrations and celebration would be done virtually including a 24-hour live stream and virtual map to engage with Earth Day celebrators across the world. Providing as well a social media toolbox so that organizers could share and spread the message of Earth day.
