Earth Day Network Announces Line-Up of Performers, Speakers For 40th Anniversary of Earth Day

WASHINGTON, April 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Earth Day Network today announced plans for the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, including appearances from Sting, John Legend, James Cameron, Reverend Jesse Jackson and other artists and thought-leaders who will perform and speak at The Climate Rally on the National Mall in Washington, DC. From tree plantings and school greenings to environmental rallies, live music events and community dialogues with elected officials, more than one billion people are taking action for Earth Day to fight climate change and build a global green economy.  Earth Day Network and its partners are orchestrating large events in Washington, D.C., New York City, NY, Rabat, Morocco, Kolkata, India, Buenos Aires, Argentina and Tokyo, Japan.

In Washington DC, the epicenter for the first Earth Day in 1970, Earth Day events on the National Mall will once again act as a rallying point for the nation. Activities kick off with service events the weekend of April 17-18 and conclude with The Climate Rally on April 25.  Global thought leaders, elected officials, Olympic athletes and celebrities including Sting, John Legend, The Roots, Bob Weir, Patrick Stump, Mavis Staples, Passion Pit, Q-Tip and Booker T will bring the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and the issue of climate change to an international stage.

"Forty years after the first Earth Day, we are galvanizing people across the globe around this milestone to take action for the environment and find solutions to climate change," said Kathleen Rogers, President, Earth Day Network. "Together, we will issue the call to our elected leaders to take action that will equitably and effectively address climate change."

Washington, DC Flagship Events on The National Mall* - April 17-25

-- Days of Service and Performance Arts:  April 17-18 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

On Saturday, April 17, Earth Day Network will coordinate a volunteer park clean-up project in partnership with the National Park Service and Trust for the National Mall. This weekend, Earth Day Network and WeatherizeDC will also organize a door-to-door canvass and block party to raise awareness about how weatherizing homes in DC is good for the environment and the local economy. Mall activities will come alive all weekend with live music, performance arts and speakers from community leaders and environmental stewards.

-- Earth Day 40th Anniversary:  April 22 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Members of Congress and environmental and industry leaders, including Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi and Congresswoman, Donna Edwards, will speak on the Mall in honor of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.  

-- The Climate Rally:  April 25 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The Climate Rally will capstone the nine-day event with performances from world-famous musicians and speeches from environmental stewards Reverend Jesse Jackson, film director, James Cameron, Olympic gold medalist, Billy Demong, producer, Trudie Styler and author, Margaret Atwood.

*From April 17-25, The National Mall will also host eco-village exhibits and more visual and performance arts.

"We are at a pivotal moment in history; environmentally concerned citizens and courageous elected leaders have helped us make great strides for the planet over last 40 years," said Denis Hayes, Earth Day 2010 Chair. "Climate change has put our planet in greater peril than ever, but it also provides us with a great opportunity to build a green economy and a healthy world for ourselves and for our children." 

Earth Day Around the World

Through the Global Day of Conversation program, Earth Day Network is working with more than 200 mayors and locally-elected officials and their constituents in more than 39 countries to discuss and exchange ideas on the issues of climate change and community sustainability. New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg and Las Vegas Mayor, Oscar Goodman are among the officials leading environmental dialogues with their constituents.

The Kingdom of Morocco will announce an unprecedented National Charter for Environment and Sustainable Development on Earth Day, the first commitment of its kind in Africa and the Arab World.  The charter will guide policy in the country and future laws on natural resources, the environment and sustainability. Seal, Hoba Hoba Spirit, Najat Atabou and a group of Moroccan artists who are composing a special song for the earth will perform along with world-renowned speakers at an unparalleled Earth Day event in Rabat on April 24.

The Creating Climate Wealth Conference will convene hundreds of leading entrepreneurs to discuss innovative business solutions to climate change in Washington, DC, from April 20 to 22. Earth Day Network and Carbon War Room are partnering to present this executive-level summit bringing together successful entrepreneurs and corporate leaders, creative financial partners, forward thinking government and non-profit professionals to share insight and expertise in policies and market frameworks.  

Earth Day 2010 Online Resources

EarthDay.org is the digital action center for individuals and groups who want to organize around the common message of progress and sustainability for Earth Day and beyond. Visit Earthday.org to find or register service and advocacy events in your community, link to existing partnerships and campaigns and view the schedule of events from April 17 to 25.

Underwriters Laboratories is the U.S. premiere presenting sponsor of Earth Day 2010 and Future Friendly, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and Siemens are U.S. co-presenting sponsors. 

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.

SOURCE Earth Day Network