Earth Day 2020 will mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day celebrations! To mark this occasion, LB Sustainability is working with City and community partners to plan a city-wide event to commemorate the occasion. Save the date, Saturday April 25th we will be at Recreation Park from 10am to 4pm. Join us to celebrate, volunteer, and learn more about how we can create a sustainable city.
Earth Day began in 1970 after a decade of rising awareness of the dangers posed by environmental degradation. Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” and a fire on the Cuyahoga River in 1969 brought attention to chemical pollution. Senator Gaylord Nelson was inspired by teach-ins students conducted on campuses around the U.S. and envisioned Earth Day as a day of education and political demonstration for the environment.
On April 22nd, 1970, rallies were held in major cities across the country, kicking off the modern environmental movement and leading to environmental legislation in the 1970s including the Clean Air Act, the Water Quality Improvement Act, and the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Earth Day went global in 1990 with 200 million participants in over 140 countries around the world. The global campaign grew in 2000 with the internet supporting worldwide connections with 5,000 environmental groups in 184 countries.
Earth Day 2020 promises to be the largest celebration yet to mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day’s founding and bring attention to pressing environmental issues. Long Beach joins thousands of Earth Day partners around the world to host events for action, education, and awareness of the challenges posed by climate change.
Follow us on
Facebook and
Instagram at @LBSustainability or go to
www.longbeach.gov/earthday for updates on the Earth Day Festival including vendors, resource booths, activities, workshops, and performances planned throughout the day.