Recognizing April 22, 2021 as Earth Day in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Earth Day is a day for uniting people from around the world under the causes of environmental conservation, justice, and regeneration. Over 20 million people across America commemorated the first Earth Day in 1970 to both celebrate the earth and protest environmental pollution and degradation; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia hosted the world’s first Earth Day as a part of Earth Week which, in 1970, was organized by a group of local professionals, stakeholders, and graduate students at the University of Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, Earth Day has evolved, through the combined efforts of state, local, and federal government, grassroots organizations, and citizens to participate, from a national day of environmental recognition into a worldwide campaign to protect the Earth; and

WHEREAS, Earth Day also recognizes the need for environmental justice, ensuring the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies; and

WHEREAS, This year’s Earth Day is themed Restore Our Earth, highlighting an effort to prevent the coming disasters of climate change and environmental destruction; and

WHEREAS, Earth Day 2021 will include a three-day virtual event, including a global youth climate summit led by Earth Uprising, “Teach for the Planet: Global Education Summit,” led by Education International, and an Earth Day Live digital event hosted by EARTHDAY.ORG; and

WHEREAS, here in Philadelphia, there will be several events including Run for Clean Air, Take the Veg Pledge, among others; and

WHEREAS, On this Earth Day, humanity will be facing tremendous global challenges stemming from global climate change, including large-scale migration, extreme inequality and poverty, degradation of ecosystems, and mass extinction of species; and

WHEREAS, Expanding environmental education and climate literacy is vital to enhance awareness about the environment, inform decision-making, and protect future generations; and

WHEREAS, It is critical that we continue to act locally and cooperate internationally to continue our progress in fighting global climate change and other environmental problems;

now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize April 22, 2021 as Earth Day in the City of Philadelphia.

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