March 11, 2010 - On Sunday, April 25, Earth Day Network is organizing a massive rally on The National Mall to demand Congress pass a comprehensive climate bill in 2010. With the 40th anniversary of Earth Day quickly approaching, now is the time to insist elected leaders pass a climate bill that will create American jobs, cap carbon emissions and secure the nation's future. The rally will be the capstone to a week of environmental activity in Washington and around the country.
"Forty years after the first Earth Day, the U.S. government has yet to produce legislation that will stem green house gases, reduce America's dependence on foreign oil and power the development of a strong green economy," said Kathleen Rogers, President, Earth Day Network. "Climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, but it also presents an unprecedented opportunity to build a clean energy economy and to ensure a sustainable tomorrow for future generations."
The 40th anniversary of Earth Day is a unique moment to drive an agenda of environmental service, advocacy and education. Earth Day Network takes this agenda online with the official debut of EarthDay.org, the digital action center for individuals and groups who want to organize around a common message of progress and sustainability. The online center will expand the movement beyond what is traditionally considered the environmental community by providing individuals and groups with an accessible destination to easily collaborate on the issues that matter most. EarthDay.org guides members toward a more active connection with the environmental movement and empowers users to have a voice by creating or participating in tangible advocacy and impactful service campaigns.
"Earthday.org, the new environmental action center, is a powerful digital tool that communities can use to mobilize and support responsible environmental policies that will create jobs and secure America's reputation as an innovative leader on the global stage," said Nate Byer, Earth Day 2010 Campaign Director. "This advocacy site empowers individuals to become serious environmental stewards by providing them with the tools to fight climate change at a grassroots level, and demand that elected officials make a commitment to ending a culture of impunity when it comes to the environment."
Earth Day Network is a catalyst for the environmental movement; capturing the momentum of a single day and refocusing it on year-round environmental issues like climate change and building a green economy. The Climate Rally on April 25 is a moment from which Earth Day Network will continue to build upon with participation from thousands in Washington, DC and online.
By linking partners, organizations and individuals in one community, Earthday.org will pledge global, national and local environmental campaigns through online participation and awareness building. Site features include:
* Commit to Being Heard at The Climate Rally on April 25
* Participate in Environmental Actions to Help Achieve a Billion Acts of Green™
* Create a Profile and Show Support for the Earth Day Community
* Find or Register an Earth Day Event in Your Community
Earth Day 2010 Activities
Global Days of Service (April 17-18):
Environmental service is a cornerstone of annual Earth Day activities. Earth Day Network is mobilizing its broad domestic and international community to encourage acts of environmental service in honor of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. At the core of this service program is the Billion Acts of Green™ initiative, an effort to collect impactful environmental actions from individuals, corporations and governments to send a message to world leaders for urgent, meaningful change for the planet.
Earth Day Network is coordinating large and small-scale projects-from tree plantings to large-scale light bulb switch-out campaigns, home energy efficiency retrofits, school greenings and water projects, all geared to lower carbon footprints. In conjunction with community organizations, and national, regional and local governments worldwide, actions include broad-based participation by diverse cultures and ethnicities, faith-based organizations, seniors and a global college campus campaign. Actions will be counted toward a Billion Acts of Green™. Global service activities have already begun, but a major series of service projects will be held the weekend before Earth Day.
Global Day of Action (April 22):
In the United States, Earth Day Network insists Congress pass comprehensive climate legislation in 2010. Internationally, Earth Day Network calls on individuals to demonstrate a commitment to the planet and future generations by holding leaders accountable for the current state of the environment.
Global Day of Conversation (April 22):
The Global Day of Conversation is a worldwide nonpartisan day of learning and activism on behalf of the planet. Earth Day Network is joining mayors and locally-elected officials with their constituents to discuss the issue of climate change and exchange ideas about how to make their communities and the world more sustainable.
Global Days of Celebration (April 24-25):
The weekend following Earth Day, in major cities around the world, hundreds of thousands of citizens are expected to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day with large-scale events. The National Mall in Washington, D.C. is home to the annual flagship event. Rabat, Morocco and several other cities will host official events featuring musical talent, speakers, exhibits and eco-villages.
About Earth Day Network:
Earth Day Network was founded on the premise that all people, regardless of race, gender, income, or geography, have a moral right to a healthy, sustainable environment. Our mission is to broaden and diversify the environmental movement worldwide, and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle for promoting a healthy, sustainable environment. We pursue our mission through a combination of education, public policy, and consumer activism campaigns.
Earth Day Network campaign and programs are predicated on the belief that an educated, energized population will take action to secure a healthy future for itself and its children. The organization has a global reach with a network of more than 20,000 partners and organizations in 190 countries. Earth Day Network is a 501(c)3 organization located in Washington, D.C.
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