Earth Day 2020: Greta Thunberg, David Attenborough, Barack Obama and more send messages as millions protest online

Updates on this year's modified events focusing on climate action after mass gatherings were cancelled following the coronavirus outbreak

What is Earth Day?

Dozens of prominent figures including former President Barack Obama, the Pope, youth activist Greta Thunberg and naturalist Sir David Attenborough have shared messages on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

President Trump took part in a tree-planting ceremony with First Lady Melania at the White House but was mocked for his efforts after he has continually called the climate crisis a “hoax” and failed to take action to tackle it.

Thunberg, who helped inspire millions of youth activists with her Fridays For Future school strikes, tweeted: “Every day is #EarthDay. The changes needed to safeguard future living conditions for all species won’t come from governments or businesses. It will come from the best available science and public opinion. So it’s up to us. Spread the science. #unitebehindthescience”

The first Earth Day on 22 April, 1970 saw 20 million Americans, 10% of the population at the time, demonstrate from coast to coast. Half a century later, millions around the world were expected to take part in the annual day of environmental action to address the huge challenges facing our planet.

This year’s planned in-person gatherings were cancelled after the coronavirus outbreak but the movement pivoted to 72-hours of digital action instead, focusing on the theme of climate action.

Meanwhile, the lockdowns introduced across the world have seen the skies clearing of pollution and wildlife returning to deserted streets, while US oil prices plunged below zero for the first time in history.

Catch-up on events as they happened

Key Points

• 'A movement led by and for middle-class white people': On Earth Day, the fresh challenges for environmental campaigners
• ​Tackle climate crisis and coronavirus together​, Greta Thunberg says
• ​72-hour livestream brings Earth Day online
• Trump mocked for planting trees on Earth Day amid his continued failure to deal with climate crisis

[22 April 2020 19:26 · Louise Boyle]

People wearing protective face masks as a precaution against the coronavirus walk past a mural of the world in Philadelphia today. 

The city was one of the first to hold large demonstrations for Earth Day 50 years ago which featured activist and future presidential candidate Ralph Nader, poet Allen Ginsburg and Nobel prize-winning Harvard Biochemist, George Wald, among many others. 

Performances included the Broadway cast of the musical Hair and the Native American rock band, Redbone.

[22 April 2020 19:57 · Louise Boyle]

Sir David Attenborough says there could be a permanent shift to working from home 

The renowned naturalist and broadcaster discussed how the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic could have lasting effect on the world with CNN's Christiane Amanpour on Earth Day.

[22 April 2020 20:56 · Louise Boyle]

Al Gore endorses Joe Biden for president on Earth Day

The two former vice presidents spoke on a live-stream event for Earth Day. 

"If I was talking to one person who had not yet decided who to vote for in this upcoming election, I would just say plainly and simply: This is not complicated," Mr. Gore said. "If you care about the climate crisis, if you want to start solving the climate crisis, this is not rocket science."

[22 April 2020 21:13 · Louise Boyle]

Comedian Mamoudou N'Diaye performs stand up on climate change 

(edited)