Where in the World is Earth Day

The one-month countdown to Earth Day 2012 is fast approaching.  Here at Earth Day Network, organizers are working around the clock with partners all over the world toMobilize the Earth™on April 22nd. Check out the weekly international highlights to see what’s going on around the world. 

In Costa Rica and Panama,Animal Neotropical– an organization dedicated to the protection of threatened animal species in Central and South America – is running a week-long campaign, culminating on Earth Day, to educate children about endangered species in the region. The organization will travel to schools, homes and community centers throughout the two countries, distributing fliers and pamphlets to children and their families. Local radio and television stations will be covering the campaign.

In Portugal, the Associação Portuguesa de Educação Ambiental (ASPEA), member of Caretakers of the Environment, has been particularly active in environmental education. As part of its restoration efforts, ASPEA is once again participating in Plantabosques, an effort seeking to rehabilitate areas of the Extremadura region of Spain. This is the ninth edition of the project. The goal this year is to bring together 600 participants and to plant 25,000 trees. The program runs for eight weekends from January to March; at the end, they will hold the 2nd Seminar of Environmental Volunteers. ASPEA has participated in Earth Day events in the past, and this year the organization is having its 10th Youth Forum on Environmental Education on the 23rd and 24th of April. During this forum, ASPEA will also celebrate the Carta da Terra, or Map of the World. Join ASPEA in spreading environmental education!

In India, Earth Day Network partner Nature Bodies recently spread environmental education to a middle school in Torwa Bilaspur.  Students studied human impacts on natural resources like water and land.  Then, students made environmentally-themed pledges for A Billion Acts of Green®.  The students will revisit their pledges on Earth Day to see how they have improved the environment.  

In Africa, Earth Day Network’s new partner, the African Youth for Positive Change Initiative,is organizing a “Running Green” marathon in honor of Earth Day 2012. This event aims not only to raise environmental awareness among the runners but also to send a strong message to leaders that solutions are needed now to the challenges facing our planet. Running Green will take place in Aba Enyiba City, Nigeria, on April 1st as part of A Billion Acts of Green®.

Every day, more and more people are helping Earth Day Network to Mobilize the Earthon April 22nd. How will you get involved? Be the next to join this global movement. For more information on how you can participate, visit www.earthday.org/2012.