Earth Day Week is a week of events taking place between 20-25 April 2020

While the world is consumed by Covid-19 and its devastating impacts on population health and global and national economies, the climate crisis has disappeared from public attention. The imminent threat of Covid-19 has distracted us from the far greater, but more slow-moving, threats posed by climate change. Climate change, too, imperils every aspect of our world, with immense consequences. 

In Australia, even after the devastating bushfires, fossil fuel lobbyists have used our focus on the virus as an opportunity to fast-track mining approvals and lobby to reduce regulation of fossil fuels. They argue that the economic response to the virus should be a recovery led by fossil fuel. In contrast, most economists and environmentalists believe that a successful economic recovery would be based on investing in renewables, which are becoming ever cheaper. Such investment is also better for our health and the environment.

All this occurs in the context of Earth Day Week, 20-25 April, the 50-year anniversary of Earth Day. For half a century, Earth Day has united people globally to act to protect our planet. The Earth Day community is actively working on solutions to restore health and balance to the Earth, while also giving voice to those communities that are generally under-represented and most impacted by climate change.

During the week of 20-25 April, Earth Day is providing a public, free, online, no-fly climate conference. There will be live talks and events. “The program features the brightest minds to discuss solutions to the most daring challenge humanity has ever faced: the climate crisis. …. We need climate action and an open dialogue. We need you and everyone to join in”.

Join in for free: https://www.wedonthavetime.org/event/earthdayweek

Dr Anne Morris, Jeannette Tsoulos, Jade Weiner
ICJW Committee for Environment and Sustainable Development