Worldwide, over one billion participated in Earth Day this past Sunday, a day of recognition established on April 22 of 1970 in order to raise awareness about the responsibilities we face as inhabitants of our planet.
On an international level, campaigners are hoping to have a new deal after the Kyoto protocol ends many countries’ legal responsibility to curb carbon emissions. Talks of such a new deal failed in Copenhagen three years ago and though many governments promised to have a new deal by this year, many are reneging their pledge. Earth Summit, the meeting of many world powers to discuss globalization and environmental issues, will convene in Rio de Janeiro this June.
On a local level, the City of Long Beach has made Earth Day a weeklong experience — Earth Week — that has a multitude of events throughout the City. Local community groups will be hosting an array of activities such as beach cleanups, e-waste drives, tree plantings, and more. Inaugurating the week yesterday was a large cluster of people along Long Beach’s coastline, sponsored by Occupy Long Beach, for a “Peace Sign Photo Shoot,” where the volunteers formed a large human peace sign that could be seen from afar.
For a full list of events, click here.