Challenging times call for creative measures! Amid the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic, Earth Day Network, the global organizer of Earth Day, has announced that it will mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day with the first Digital Earth Day, a global digital mobilization on April 22 to address the most urgent threats to people and the planet.

As Earth Day is in the calendar for many of the Project AWARE community, we join Earth Day Network and look to shift our energies and efforts to new ways to mobilize the world to action.

“We take the health and safety of our Dive Against Debris volunteers, fundraisers, supporters, and staff participating in Earth Day celebrations very seriously. This Earth Day, like the Earth Day Network, we encourage our global community to rise up but to do so safely and responsibly. Let's use the power of our collective voices to drive action online rather than in person.”
- Danna Moore, Project AWARE Director - Global Operations

We know the outbreak is affecting regions and countries differently, and some individuals and communities may decide to still hold in-person events. Earth Day Network urges everyone to assess their situation individually, take precautions and follow the recommendations and advice from the World Health Organization, government and local health authorities.

In a Press Release, Earth Day Network announced that the goal of Earth Day remains unchanged - unite hundreds of millions of people around the world to pressure world leaders to act on environmental degradation and climate change - but Earth Day’s updated digital-first strategy will leverage the global power of some of the world’s most innovative digital media platforms to mobilize millions in a collective call for transformative action for our planet.

The coordination will deliver an Earth Day unlike any other in history as the movement marks its 50th anniversary.

The global conversation will be unified and tracked by the shared hashtags #EarthDay2020 and #EARTHRISE. Earth Day Network will provide live coverage of the global digital mobilizations from its social media accounts (@earthdaynetwork). Plans are also underway to develop a major global event, coordinated across digital platforms to mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22.

From organizing a "Facebook Watch Party" of your favorite ocean video to conducting the Project AWARE Specialty course online, there are many ways our global community of ocean adventurers can rise up and keep connected with what brings us together - our shared love for our blue planet this Earth Day and every day, says Jack Fishman, Project AWARE Community Conservation Officer

Be creative and use Project AWARE's free resources in our Conservation Tools to join in the Earth Day celebrations from the safety of your home.