On April 22, 2023, communities around the world joined together to celebrate the fifth annual Call to Earth Day. We know this initiative by CNN is committed to both raising awareness around our environmental challenges and inspiring hope through solutions. Schools, community members, and conservation organizations joined in a variety of sustainability and stewardship-building activities aimed at fostering a conservation ethic in young people.
Tokyo students helped to bring this year’s Call to Earth Day to life by creating an edible roof garden at their school. The garden has improved the character and ecological function of our urban landscape, while promoting beauty, exploration, and curiosity. Project educator Hanako Montgomery spoke to the need to integrate sustainability throughout education.
“Part of the really interesting thing about this school is that it incorporates curriculums from the United Nations’ sustainability goals,” – Hanako Montgomery
As students learn about climate change and their favorite green spaces, they gain awareness of how their actions impact the environment. As one student commented on their pledge to protect the planet, “I love the planet, so I protect it.” One of the other participants said that culture is oath of these spaces matter for community health. They continued, “It’s a wonderful spot to decompress, get some fresh air, connect with your neighbors.”
In the recent action of Ogun State Nigeria’s volunteers, the intervention was frangipani trees planting. They accomplished this in three schools as part of their Call to Earth Day celebrations. Project coordinator Adefioye Michael Oluwaferanmi spearheaded a local, committed team to a successful cleanup project. Together, they were able to fully reclaim 520 kilograms of litter from native habitats. The Eco-friendly craft club Green Yarnies joined forces with Planeteer, Project Conserve River, and the Captain Planet Foundation to further engage community members in environmental stewardship. In the process of cleaning, their efforts revealed 1,330 items of litter, including a Spiderman costume.
Green spaces developed under these programs promote biodiversity. For starters, they increase the mental well-being of everyone on a community’s doorstep. Research has shown parks and green spaces can lower the urban heat island effect by as much as 4 degrees Celsius.
This year’s Call to Earth Day focused on our Coral Nursery program. This international initiative, led by Rolex Associate Laureate Emma Camp, is one of the cornerstones of the Perpetual Planet Initiative. This innovative initiative is all about coral reef restoration. These crucial ecosystems provide over 1 billion people with fish stocks, protection from storms, and pharmaceutical compounds Gambier, 2015. She is honing in on research that can help us determine which coral species are most resilient and able to survive our rapidly changing oceans.
“No matter where you are in the world you are connected to coral reefs,” – Emma Camp
She further underscored the need to act quickly to address dangers to these important ecosystems.
“Despite their immense importance, there is a real risk we could lose reefs within our lifetime, primarily because of climate change,” – Emma Camp
The Call to Earth Day event serves not only as a reminder of the environmental challenges facing our planet but as a call to action. It challenges us all — residents and elected leaders — to unite as stewards of our environment. Kristie Lu Stout, a CNN anchor and the intellectual force behind the initiative, highlighted that protecting natural areas is proven to do good.
“Spaces like this don’t just happen. They require our protection and our care,” – Kristie Lu Stout
The activities and programs initiated during Call to Earth Day demonstrate a growing global awareness of environmental issues and underscore the importance of community involvement in solutions. Residents are eager to get involved with local projects. They’re part of a growing movement that helps develop young leaders, encourages more sustainable practices, and leaves future generations with a healthy planet.
