President Obama's Earth Day Address: Action on Climate Change Cannot Wait (Video)

On Earth Day April 22 President Obama visited the Florida Everglades for Earth Day and spoke about the urgent need for action on climate change. The President called on Congress to support the Land and Water Conservation Fund. He spoke about the importance of providing access to nature and announced that he will be providing free access to America's national parks.

Responding to Grist's Anti-Earth Day Rants

Each year Grist likes to condescendingly whine about all the things they hate about Earth Day. This year in an article titled, Why Earth Day Doesn't Matter Anymore, they argue that the day has "lost its relevance." This could not be further from the truth. As we head towards a global climate agreement at the end of the year in Paris popular support for environmental action has never been more important. While Grist does provide a lot of great content, their anti-Earth-Day diatribes create divisions that are harmful to the growth of the environmental movement.

In their own self-righteous style they are speaking to their readership and offering what they deem to be poignant commentary (their audience is largely composed of deep greens who relish showering disdain on those who are not quite as ecologically pure). However, their righteous indignation and highfalutin derision is unproductive.

Earth Day Review of American Environmental Attitudes

A review of polling results reveals the sad truth about US attitudes on climate change. Despite the plethora of science and media coverage American attitudes on climate change are the same today as they were in 1989. Americans claim they want greener products and services and they also claim that they want corporations to be greener, however this is not reflected in their actual buying behavior.

The Importance of Science and Nature on Earth Day

One scientist and sustainability expert suggests we should go outside and play so that we can connect with nature on Earth Day.

Meg Lowman, is the Chief of Science and Sustainability at the California Academy of Sciences. She pioneered the science of canopy ecology which earned her the monikers, “Real-Life Lorax,” "Canopy Meg" and “Einstein of the treetops.” She is also a biologist, educator, and ecologist. Her personal mantra is “no child left indoors.”

Earth Day Activities and Actions in the US and Canada

Earth Day activities include a full slate of sustainability-conscious events and conservation efforts. This includes contests, awards, petitions, marches, parties, lectures, discussion groups, bike rides, tree planting, trash collection, film screenings and art projects.

While Earth Day is officially celebrated on April 22, there have been a number of actions that have taken place in the month of April and throughout the year. As part of an annual program called "One Billion Acts of Green," there have been well over one billion pledges and the goal is two billion.

Earth Day Activities and Actions in the US

In the US there are a range of activities promoted on Earth Day. One of these projects is called the Canopy Project. This initiative work with tree planting organizations around the world to ensure our trees are reaching people who need them most. The Canopy Project is an official partner of the United Nations Environment Programme’s Billion Trees Campaign

Earth Day 2015: The Marriage of Economic Growth and Sustainability

Each year Earth Day celebrated on April 22 and 2015 marks the 45th anniversary of this international environmental protection event. Earth Day is the largest civic observance in the world today. All around our planet a billion people will participate in thousands of events. Almost 2 billion "acts of green" will take place on and around the day to demonstrate support for a healthier environment and a sustainable life. Earth Day was first celebrated in the US in 1970 and now more than 192 countries are involved. The inaugural event saw 20 million Americans showing their support for the environment. The movement contributed to the creation of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.

GMO's Top Communications Stories of 2013

Here are the Green Market Oracle's (GMO) top communications stories for 2013 organized under the headings of the 20 most important related subjects.

This assemblage of 107 articles is comprised of stories that address journalism, successes, gratitude, narratives (religion), awards (organizations and individuals), environmental activism, human rights, the Arctic 30, Earth Hour, Earth Day, the Climate Reality Project, Nelson influential people (Mandela, Martin Luther King, Margaret Thatcher), American attitudes, marketing, greenwash, youth, and women.

GMOs Top Political Stories of 2013

Here are the Green Market Oracle's (GMO) top political stories for 2013 organized under the headings of the 20 most important related subjects.

This assemblage of 170 articles is comprised of stories that address the environmental efforts of US President Barack Obama (including his climate action plan and executive orders), US government standards (EPA and DOE),  US legislation and law, the Republican party, the US shutdown (debt ceiling), cities, communities, sustainable development, the UN and the COP process, the Arctic, Canada, Europe (Germany and the UK), China, Russia, as well as indigenous and aboriginal people.

GMO's Top Energy Stories of 2013

Here are the Green Market Oracle's (GMO) top energy stories for 2013 organized under the headings of the 20 most important related subjects.

This assemblage of 202 articles is comprised of stories that address renewables (including solar, wind and hydrogen), greenhouse gas emissions (including carbon and methane), fossil fuels (including tar sands, natural gas, coal, and petcoke), the transportation of fossil fuels (including pipelines, trains and trucks), fossil fuel subsidies and divestment, oil companies, ALEC, greener cars, charging stations and solar transportation.

GMO's Top Climate Change Stories of 2013

Here are the Green Market Oracle's (GMO) top climate change stories for 2013 organized under the headings of the 20 most important related subjects.

This assemblage of 158 climate change articles is comprised of stories that address scientific studies (including the IPCC's findings), extreme weather (floods, droughts, desertification, cold, costs, Typhoon Haiyan, and Hurricane Sandy), the social impacts of climate change (health, population, food, agriculture, organics, GMOs, conflict and climate refugees), and natural resources (biodiversity, water, oceans, forests and trees).

The GMO's Top Sustainability and Green Economy Stories of 2013

Here are the Green Market Oracle's (GMO) top sustainability and green economy stories for 2013 organized under the headings of the 20 most important related subjects.

This assemblage of 151 sustainability and green economy articles is comprised of stories that address sustainability in business, investing (risk), CSR, best practices, supply chains, reporting, the low carbon (green) economy, efficiency, waste, recycling, innovation, jobs, corruption, the World Bank and the G8, chemicals, building, guides, CDC, sustainable companies, and the hotel industry.

GMO's Top Green School Stories of 2013

This year represents the fourth installment of the Green Market Oracle's (GMO) annual sustainable school series. Each year GMO puts together a summary of some of the latest information and resources on environmentally oriented academics and activities as well as green infrastructure in pedagogical settings. Taken together these efforts contribute to the growth of a well informed population, an environmentally sound economy and a healthier planet.

EcoWatch's Top Seven EcoBusiness Stories of 2013

Here is a review of some pop ecobusiness stories that include a widely diverging summary of products and novel applications of cleantech. This list ranges from responsible products like affordable solar lights, to Raw Food's kale chips. Other stories covered include electric cars powering buildings, a Stanford Professor talking about renewable energy on Letterman, and a climate change activists recording the fastest ever trip to the south pole. There is even a story about a fair trade shoemaker and another about a wind energy company that was fined for causing bird deaths. Without further ado here is Ecowatch's Brandon Baker's list of seven EcoBusiness stories for 2013.

Cyber Monday 2013: The Ongoing Growth of a More Eco-friendly Way to Shop

The term for online shopping on the Monday following Thanksgiving is known as Cyber Monday. Each year a growing number of people are going online to do their holiday shopping. Since the term was coined by the National Retail Foundation's Shop.org in 2005, Cyber Monday spending has more than tripled. By avoiding a trip to the mall, shoppers cut down on their environmental impacts including emissions associated with car travel.

According to a report by GigaOm, Black Friday is 50 times more carbon intensive than Cyber Monday shopping. While the report is imperfect, it shows how driving cars to the mall en masse is not an eco-friendly way to shop.

One suggestions to reduce the footprint (and cost) of online shopping is to avoid overnight shipping (air freight). According to The Daily Green ground transportation is better than rush delivery. Ground shipping is six times more energy efficient than air. Not only do airplanes release more greenhouse gases (GHGs) than terrestrial vehicles, they release these GHGs higher in the atmosphere, which has a greater adverse impact on global warming than gases emitted at ground level. Data from the Center for Energy Climate Solutions shows that even when using overnight shipping, the carbon impact of buying online is a fraction of driving to a mall or store.

Infographic - Power Shift

Infographic - Arab Wealth Building a Sustainable Future

Four Leading Chinese Environmental Activists

In a recent interview Ralph Litzinger, a Duke Univeristy anthropologist who writes about important Chinese issues, offered his list of notable environmental activists in China. His list includes Ma Jun, Li Bo, Liu Jianqiang and Feng Yongfeng.

Ma Jun and his Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs in Beijing have been doing extraordinary pollution mapping work in China, and have created a network of environmental activists around what they call the “Green Choice Alliance.” They were instrumental in the first reports to expose the links between Apple and its suppliers’ environmental and health record in factories across China.

Environmental Activism is Changing China

The Chinese are increasingly aware of environmental issues and support for action has been steadily growing. China's fledgling green movement is responding to a host of serious concerns from the abysmal air quality in Beijing to the 750 dead pigs pulled from the Huangpu River in Shanghai in March.

There is evidence of a growing environmental consciousness in cities across China. People are becoming concerned about air and water borne pollution particularly as it impacts their health. Led by young activists, groups like university environmental clubs are campaigning to raise awareness and combat pollution.

Turkish Environmentalists Spark National Protests

A brutal police crackdown against a peaceful environmental protest in Turkey has sparked the biggest anti-government demonstrations in years. The May 31st protest in Istanbul has spread to dozens of Turkish cities and involves a broad spectrum of support from students to professionals, trade unionists, Kurdish activists. The mass protests began with a demonstration to halt construction of a shopping center in a park in Istanbul's Taksim Square, a huge new Mosque planned for the banks of the Bosphorus river and a replica of an Ottoman-era barracks.

Video - Earth Day 2013: The Face of Climate Change

The theme of Earth Day 2013 is The Face of Climate Change. This campaign seeks to harness the power of Earth Day to personalize the massive challenge that climate change presents, while uniting people around the globe into a powerful call to action. Earth Day Network is collecting images of people, animals, and places affected by climate change as well as images of people doing their part in the fight against climate change.

On and around Earth Day (April 22), an interactive digital display of all the images will be shown at thousands of events around the world — from schools to parks to government buildings. The display will also be made available online to anyone who wants to view or show it.

Learn more and upload your photos at earthday.org/2013.
Related Posts
Earth Day Special: Green Blueprint Earth Day Business Resources
Earth Day Marketing Mayhem
Earth Day "Green" Shopping
Wide Range of Earth Day Promotions
Green Your Business on Earth Day
Earth Day Online Tool Kit
The Commericialization of Earth Day
Silencing Earth Day Critics
What Businesses are Doing for Earth Day 2012
Earth Day 2012 and Business
The Business of Earth Day Earth Day 2010: Life and Death Decisions for Business