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Earth Day Network and The Global Poverty Project Announce: Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day
March 9, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 9, 2015
EARTH DAY NETWORK AND THE GLOBAL POVERTY PROJECT ANNOUNCE
GLOBAL CITIZEN 2015 EARTH DAY
No Doubt, Usher, Fall Out Boy, Mary J. Blige, Train, and My Morning Jacket to Headline Free Event on National Mall on Saturday, April 18, 2015;
Hosted by will.i.am and Soledad O’Brien;
With special guests Common and D’Banj;
Citizens to Call on World Leaders to Solve Climate Change and End Extreme Poverty
Washington, D.C. (March 5, 2015) – Earth Day Network and The Global Poverty Project have joined forces to further the movement to end extreme poverty and solve climate change through Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day, a free event on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, April 18, 2015. Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day will be headlined by No Doubt, Usher, Fall Out Boy, Mary J. Blige, Train, and My Morning Jacket, with special guests Common and D’Banj. The event will be hosted by will.i.am and Soledad O’Brien.
Marking the 45th anniversary of Earth Day, Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day comes during a pivotal time to protect the planet and ensure that world leaders address key issues facing the next generation. Timed to coincide with the spring meetings of the World Bank Group—which is helping to bring key developing country voices to the platform—Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day will bring together global policymakers, finance ministers, environment and development NGOs, industry executives, and high-profile artists. Together, these world leaders will work to educate and inspire citizens to take immediate action to end extreme poverty and solve climate change. The event is part of a widespread effort to mobilize global citizens in the climate and environmental movement and the poverty and development movement, and to drive bold commitments from governments, businesses, and individuals.
At the UN General Assembly meeting in September, world leaders will establish the world’s goals for the next 15 years as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and forge a binding climate change agreement at COP 21 in Paris in December. The Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day message to world leaders is clear: we must act now to both address climate change and end extreme poverty – one cannot be solved without addressing the other.
“Earth Day Network is the largest recruiter to the environmental movement, and works year round to support civic action. 2015 is a historic year for activists all over the world who are coming together to solve climate change and end extreme poverty,” said Kathleen Rogers, President of Earth Day Network. “Our joint event is creating an even larger movement. Together we are calling on our leaders to end the status quo and to forge a binding climate agreement in Paris and bring justice to the 1 billion people living below the poverty line. We will accept nothing less.”
“If our world leaders get it right, 2015 can be a historic year of progress for our people and our planet,” said Hugh Evans, CEO of The Global Poverty Project. “We have seen significant progress over the last 15 years, and Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day will see thousands of citizens calling on world leaders continue to recognize that the effects of climate change are felt the hardest by the world’s poor. The fact that this event is taking place on the National Mall–the epicenter for civil action–ensures that these citizens will be heard.”
No Doubt stated, “Last year we rocked with 60,000 global citizens in Central Park, all committed to ending extreme poverty. We now help bring this movement to the nation’s capital, this time with a focus on climate change and its inexorable effect on the world’s poor. We owe it to our children to protect our planet and their futures.”
On his participation in the event, Usher shared the following statement: “Music has long had the ability to motivate generations and inspire movements. I’m proud to lend my voice to the call to end extreme poverty, solve climate change, and educate our youth on such a historic stage.”
In a statement from Fall Out Boy, the band said, “We are honored and humbled to be a part of this crucially important event. Taking direct action to make the world a better place—to eradicate extreme poverty and find a solution for climate change—is essential not only for us but for our kids and all future generations. If our participation and music can bring attention to these issues then we’re doing our job right. We must stand together to make lasting change.”
“Our generation has the power to build a better world,” said Mary J. Blige. “On April 18th, we will come together for a day of music, education, and action as we call on world leaders to build a world free from poverty and climate injustice.”
Train issued the following statement, “Train is honored to lend our music to the movement to protect our environment. We are excited to join everyone on the National Mall to help shine a light on such important issues.”
In a statement from My Morning Jacket, the group said, “Addressing poverty cannot happen without addressing climate change. As nations gather to create the UN Sustainable Development agenda this year, it’s imperative that they include these two critical issues in these goals. We look forward to raising our voices with these amazing performers to ensure that world leaders hear our call to solve climate change and end extreme poverty.”
The proud partners for Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day include: Caterpillar Inc., Citi,
CJ Corporation, Toyota, iHeartMedia, Clear Channel Outdoor, MSNBC, YouTube, Google, Alcantara, and Connect4Climate. Content presented in partnership with the World Bank Group.
“CJ Corporation is honored to support Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day in its mission to end extreme poverty utilizing the power of music to mobilize global citizens,” said Heekyung Jo Min, Executive Vice President for Global CSV, CJ Corporation. “Leading the creation of new cultures in food and entertainment, we are excited to partner with Global Citizen to create a better future.”
“Citi is committed to enabling progress around the world, and we are proud to offer our cardmembers an opportunity to take action against extreme poverty and climate change and at the same time, enjoy performances from these tremendously dedicated and talented artists,” said Jennifer Breithaupt, Global Head of Entertainment Marketing at Citi.
For more information about Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day, please visit www.globalcitizen2015earthday.org.
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ABOUT EARTH DAY NETWORK:
The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life and is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement. Growing out of the first Earth Day, Earth Day Network (EDN) works with tens of thousands of partners in 192 countries to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world. For more information, visit archiveedn.wpengine.com
ABOUT THE GLOBAL POVERTY PROJECT:
The Global Poverty Project is a registered 501(c)(3) international nonprofit organization whose mission is to end extreme poverty by 2030. The advocacy organization works in partnership with other NGOs, business leaders, world leaders and global citizens in its efforts to build the largest movement of people taking actions and calling on governments to support policies that would significantly impact the world’s poor. For more information, visit www.GlobalPovertyProject.org.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Leah Nelson, [email protected], 202-280-2398
Blaec Kalweit, [email protected], 212-691-2800
Bridgette N. Borst, [email protected], 703-302-8385
Mike Casey, [email protected], 703-302-8390
FOR MEDIA CREDENTIALS ON APRIL 18 CONTACT:
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