Global Earth Day 2010 Accomplishments

Speakers from the Earth Day 2010 Climate Rally
Printable guide to the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day

More than one billion people around the world took action for the 40^th anniversary of Earth Day. From climate rallies to engaging civil leaders in plans to build a green economy, Earth Day 2010 was a turning point for the environmental movement on climate change and the environment.

Earth Day Network worked with more than 21,000 partners worldwide to move forward on climate and other environmental civic actions.  Through this effort Earth Day Network created the largest global response ever to climate change, building our collective capacity to fight for solutions. In a few short weeks, we created one of the largest international environmental networks of nearly one million people, connected through the online action center at EarthDay.org.

Earth Day 2010 International Highlights

• In just a few months, Earth Day Network logged more than 30 million environmental actions towards the goal of a Billion Acts of Green™, from large scale climate petition drives to voter registration, city-wide light-bulb change outs, and massive coral reef and beach cleanups.Our goal is to reach a Billion Acts of Green by Earth Day 2011 to demonstrate to world leaders the global commitment to environmental change leading up to the Rio + 20 Summit in 2012.  
• Earth Day Network created the largest climate activist programglobally, with nearly one million participants.  This represents the continuation of EarthDay Network’s goal to create a new worldwide movement to resolve climate change.  
• Through the Global Day of Conversation, over 400 elected officials in more than 40 countries representing tens of millions of citizens took part in active dialogues with their constituents about their efforts to create sustainable green economies and reduce their carbon footprints.Mayors are leading the fight to reduce carbon emissions and to build the green economy.
• Over one million students abroad participated in school greenings from community-wide clean ups to installing solar energy systems to creating school gardens to adopting environmental  curriculum.
• Earth Day Network announced a partnership with the Avatar Home Tree Initiative to plant a million trees in 15 countries in 2010.
• In partnership with the Peace Corps, Earth Day Network worked with local volunteers to implement environmental and civic education programs, tree-plantings, village clean-ups and recycling seminars in rural areas including Ukraine, the Philippines, Georgia, Albania and Paraguay.  These efforts helped build environmentalism in the most remote parts of the earth for underserved communities.
• In Kolkata, India, we watched as our plans for a small series of sponsored events evolved into a nationwide presence, 17 cities large. Earth Day Network partnered with global and local NGOs and local government officials to coordinate city and village clean-ups, environmental rallies and educational programs for underprivileged children.  Earth Day Network has plans to establish an office in Kolkata. 
• In China, 10 universities participated in month-long efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of their communities.  Students made lifestyle changes such as recycling and using public transportation to make a positive impact.  Quantitative carbon reduction results will be announced in mid-May.
• In Morocco, the government announced an unprecedented National Charter for the Environment and Sustainable Development, the first commitment of its kind in Africa and the Arab world, which will inform new environmental laws for the country.  The Kingdom of Morocco also pledged to plant a million trees in 2010.
• In Afghanistan, Earth Day Network worked with morethan 40 government and village leaders across the country in environmental sustainability practices including recycling programs and the need for clean water and alternative energy.
• On April 22, the President of Mozambique led a country-wide tree-planting initiative in schools across Maputo.
• Earth Day Network greened 40 schools globally for Earth Day, launching its international green school program. From solar panels to school gardens, Earth Day Network is significantly cutting global carbon emissions.
• Earth Day Network partnered with Carbon War Room to convene 200 of the world’s most important entrepreneurs in a forum that examined groundbreaking ways to solve climate change and create a new green economy based on renewable energy. Click here for an address by Earth Day 2010 Chair, Denis Hayes.

U.S.Actions

The Climate Rally – Earth Day Network’s flagship event on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. drew more than 150,000 activists to demand that the U.S. Congress pass comprehensive climate legislation in 2010. Earth Day Network provided buses to The Climate Rally from 10 East Coast, Midwest and mid-Atlantic cities, and flew in representatives from Alaska, Arkansas, Indiana, Maine and Montana. The nine hour event featured more than 70 high profile speakers, including leadership from the faith, labor, civil rights, and environmental communities, the private sector, leading climate scientists, celebrities, Cabinet Secretaries, international political leaders and local government officials. Click here to view speeches from The Climate Rally.

• Earth Day Network partnered with over 100 U.S. National organizations that actively participated in the Earth Day 2010 campaign and the Billion Acts of Green™ program through service and advocacy activities. Schools, businesses, churches and environmental groups posted more than 6,000 Earth Day events to EarthDay.org.
• Through its religious partnerships, Earth Day Network reached over 25,000 congregations to encourage participation in Earth Day Sunday and give environmentally conscious Earth Day sermons.
• With Earth Day 2010, Earth Day Network tripled its e-mail list to over 900,000 supporters who we will continue to activate and provide opportunities to act positively on behalf of the environment.