Celebrating Earth Day amidst the pandemic

by George Udah/Kenya
Edited by Cecilia Razafinirinamaharavo/Madagascar

The 50th Anniversary of Earth Day is here with us since its inception in 1970. Many people, countries and organizations around the world are currently preoccupied with addressing the COVID-19 pandemic which is wreaking havoc. It is fair enough and by all means the priority that needs concerted effort from every country. If only this energy could be applied to the fight against climate change, then we could be miles ahead in restoring the earth. However, all has not been lost since every year we have events like Earth Day, among other environment-oriented events to remind us of our responsibility towards a safe future for us and generations to come.
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 Earth Day, marked every April 22, is a global event with purpose to demonstrate support for environmental protection. The event is currently considered a unified response to environmental crises with the first one marked in 1970 credited with launching the modern environmental movement. After it was started, countries, organizations, and individuals have joined into the movement to demand a new way forward for planet Earth. Consequently, Earth Day is now recognized as the world’s largest civil event.


Marking the day can be done by undertaking many activities geared towards the protection and restoring our planet. These activities range from climate strike, cleanup, to participating in the largest citizen science in the world. This year’s Earth Day will be marked on April 22, 2020, with the theme “Climate Action.” This is a call for action from every person in their capacity to make an effort towards activities that meet the ‘environmental protection’ initiative.


Climate change is posing the most significant challenge ever in human history, making the future of humanity very bleak. The Earth Day event, among other similar initiatives, is a wakeup call to humanity to take action now. Regardless of the effort, as long as it is meant to improve the life support systems in the world, it will suffice to contribute to the larger goal of environmental protection, especially in these trying times. With the COVID-19 pandemic restricting activities across the globe, making active participation on Earth Day a challenge, we, the Alpha Team Organization – ClimatEducate (ATO-CE) family, join efforts through online initiatives to mark the day. We strive to make Earth Day an everyday affair by encouraging our members and other people to be environmentally conscious everywhere they are, thanks to technological advancement. Together as one, we rise to fight the pandemic as we continue to save our planet. Cheers, and stay safe!

THE AUTHOR

George Udah is currently our Regional Manager for ATO - ClimatEducate Project Africa. He is an environmental advocate and an educator.