Let’s Open Our Eyes! One plant or animal species disappears every 20 minutes—but we hardly notice it in our daily lives. It’s time for people around the world to hold governments and the private sector accountable for their roles in the environmental crisis causing this disappearance. More than human beings play a unique role in our environment, and their extinction threatens ecological stability and our own survival. This year Earth Day is shining a spotlight on the protection of biodiversity. Every year on April 22, more than a billion people celebrate Earth Day by protecting the planet, taking action, and being part of the green revolution. This week in the Scarfe Digital Sandbox, we join the world’s largest environmental movement by offering supportive teach-ins to inspire action for the planet. Together, let’s protect biodiversity to maintain ecosystem balance and take care of vital services for human life.
Every year on April 22, Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. The first Earth Day gave voice to an emerging environmental consciousness and pushed environmental concerns onto the front page of public discourse. It arrived at a time of great challenge, as the environmental community sought to combat the cynicism of climate change deniers, the influence of well-funded oil lobbyists, the inaction of reticent politicians, a largely disinterested public, and internal divisions within the movement itself. In 2010, EARTHDAY.ORG ushered Earth Day into the digital era, igniting a significant wave of global action for the environment. Since then, their website has engaged hundreds of millions of people worldwide, fostering civic engagement and volunteerism across 193 countries. Learn more about the history of Earth Day in the following video from the History Channel!
EARTHDAY.ORG believes that grassroots activism is the most powerful way to build a world literate in climate and environmental science. Their approach to developing environmental literacy centers on high-quality education programs that equip learners with the attitudes, knowledge, and skills needed to address complex environmental issues. Environmental education also fosters the internalization of environmental values. A world inspired by such values will drive local, regional, and global actions to safeguard the Earth and all its inhabitants. In 1970, during an era marked by civic action and public demonstrations, concerned citizens from all walks of life organized environmental teach-ins as part of the first Earth Day. People gathered to learn the facts about the widespread environmental degradation occurring across the country. In the following video learn the facts—explore how our actions since 1970 have accumulated and reflect on the changes from the first Earth Day through to 2022.
On April 22, 1970, millions united for the very first Earth Day—joining teach-ins, cleaning up communities, and standing up for the planet. It was a moment of collective action, proving that the environment could bring people from all walks of life together. Teach-ins play a significant role in providing communities with the knowledge they need to advocate for a cleaner, more secure future. Use EARTHDAY.ORG Teach-In Toolkit to plan an effective teach-in that will bring your community together and build capacity to make change! A teach-in is similar to a general educational gathering on any complicated issue, usually an issue or problem of importance to society. The main difference between a teach-in and a seminar is the refusal to limit the discussion to a strict academic scope. Teach-ins are meant to be practical, participatory and oriented toward action — discussion and questions are encouraged and at the core of the methodology. Teach-ins should end with the community deciding on a call-to-action for what steps they can take to make a difference. Learn about The Origins of Earth Day and the massive “Teach-In on the Environment” at the University of Michigan with Matthew Lassiter.
Earth Day engages more than 1 billion people every year and has become a major stepping stone along the pathway of engagement around the protection of the planet. Earth Day isn’t just a day; it’s a movement that provides the foundation for sustainable growth. Throughout April, commemorate our planet with marches, rallies, volunteer events, and teach-ins. We have the opportunity to support our community in building their awareness and motivation to address local and global environmental issues. This year, Alexis Rockman created a stunning Earth Day poster that ties directly into the 2025 theme: Our Power, Our Planet. Which is advocating for a tripling of global renewable energy generation by 2030. Rockman’s artwork beautifully features a solar panel surrounded by lush nature and a clear sky, symbolizing the renewable energy future we must embrace to safeguard both planetary and human health. His work continues his legacy of blending artistic expression with a deep understanding of environmental science, urging us all to take immediate action for a sustainable future.
We are all connected to and by Earth — whether it’s the trees and plants that give us the oxygen we breathe, the snow-capped mountains that provide the water we drink, or the breathtaking geophysical forces that shape the land beneath our feet. Earth Day reminds us of the importance of dedicating our time, resources, and energy to honour Earth’s connections and be aware of environmental issues. Investing in our planet is necessary to protect it and the best way to pave a path toward a prosperous future. There are many ways you can get involved and make a difference for our planet on Earth Day and every day. Join millions worldwide in Earth Day 2025 activities. Attend a local event or plan and register your own. Today, My First Earth Day Stories bring timeless memories to life—spanning the 70s to now. Watch below the stories of people who attend the First Earth Day to get inspired to take action for our planet. They remind us that every act, no matter how small, fuels a movement!
Guest post by Peer Mentor Daniel Gallardo Zamora (Ph.D. EDST), Apr. 2025.
