Want to make a lasting impact during the COVID-19 pandemic? How about participating in Earth Day festivities? While social distancing has moved us inside for a while, we can take this opportunity to celebrate Earth Day virtually, or in the comfort of our home with our laptop or smartphone.
Earth Day History
So, how should you plan for the festivities? Before you begin, it’s helpful to know a little about Earth Day history. This year, Earth Day (April 22) celebrates its fiftieth anniversary. The first Earth Day took place back in 1970. At the time, however, the event was much less festive.
On the first Earth Day, protestors took to the streets to raise awareness about environmental ignorance. Because of the movement, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was formed in July 1970 and the passages of certain laws, such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act, have made Earth Day a special environmental “holiday.”
6 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day Virtually
The following virtual activities will make Earth Day one day you will want to continue to celebrate.
1. Take a Google Virtual Tour
Google features 360-degree tours of 113 US national park locations, including beaches, monuments, and historical sites. Virtual field trips are also provided by the Nature Conservancy for children in grades 5 through 8. However, that does not mean you cannot enjoy these virtual activities as an adult.
2. Witness Live Feeds of Animals
Another fun virtual Earth Day event is watching the live feeds presented at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. You might also visit the site Explore.org to watch different animal feeds around the world, including the remotest locations in Africa.
3. Take Part in a Virtual Run Challenge
This virtual running challenge encourages runners and walkers to spend April, or whenever they choose to start (Earth Day is a good time), to run a circuit, collectively, measuring the distance of the equator. You can log in your miles daily. Participation is free.
4. Take Part in Environmental Data Collection
By downloading the 2020 Earth Challenge app, you can take part in the collection of vital environmental data. Participants provide researchers with local environmental information, such as air quality stats, to maintain a healthier planet.
5. Volunteer on the Earth Day Website
You may also want to sign up on the Earth Day website to access the site’s volunteer database and to get some ideas about spreading the Earth Day message. The site features many activities that you can do for free.
6. Check out ESW's DigiCon Content
Make sure you watch ESW’s DigitalCon presentations as well. Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW) held its first-ever DigitalCon event on April 18, 2020. The event, which is normally a conference activity, was held virtually in response to the to the CORVID-19 lockdown.
Click on this link to watch ESW’s video presentations on its conference channel. DigitalCon hosted around 200 participants who are involved in engineering, design, and sustainability. Conference attendees are working to find answers to some of the world’s toughest environmental challenges. Therefore, you won’t want to miss this related Earth Day activity.