Today Marks the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day

Today, Wednesday, April 22, 2020, marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Earth Day is celebrated annually to raise awareness of how human actions can affect the health of the planet.

Earth Day celebrations are going virtual across the globe today amidst the coronavirus pandemic, with "virtual protests, video teach-ins and more," according to USA Today. 

The website Earthday.org says Earth Day 2020 highlights two crises: One is immediate from a pandemic and the other is slowly building as a disaster for our climate.

The Earthday.org message: "We can, will, and must solve both challenges. The world was not prepared for a coronavirus. Leaders ignored hard science and delayed critical actions. We still have time to prepare — in every part of the world — for the climate crisis."

The theme for Earth Day 2020 is climate action, says Earthday.org.

"The enormous challenge — but also the vast opportunities — of action on climate change have distinguished the issue as the most pressing topic for the 50th anniversary. Climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable."