Frequently Asked Questions
Information about Earth Day and Earth Day Network
When is Earth Day celebrated?
Earth Day is celebrated around the world on April 22, although larger events such as festivals and rallies are often organized for the weekends before or after April 22. Many communities also celebrate Earth Week or Earth Month by organizing a series of environmental activities throughout the month of April.
Why Earth Day?
Because it works! Earth Day broadens the base of support for environmental programs, rekindles public commitment and builds community activism around the world through a broad range of events and activities.
What can I do for Earth Day?
Since the first Earth Day, April 22, 1970, Earth Day has been an annual event for people around the world to celebrate the earth and renew our commitment to building a safer, healthier and cleaner world for all of us. There are many ways you can get involved. Volunteer. Go to a festival. Install solar panels on your roof. Organize an event where you live. Change a habit. Help launch a community garden. Communicate your priorities to your elected representatives. The possibilities are endless! Do something nice for the earth, have fun, meet new people, and make a difference.
And you needn't wait for April 22 to help out the Earth. Earth Day is every day -- to build a better future for the environment we must commit to protect our environment on a year-round basis. (You'll find many ways to get involved in the Programs and Events section of our website.)
What is Earth Day Network?
Founded by the organizers of the first Earth Day in 1970, Earth Day Network (EDN) promotes environmental citizenship and year round progressive action worldwide. Earth Day Network is a driving force steering environmental awareness around the world. Through Earth Day Network, activists connect, interact, and impact their communities, and create positive change in local, national, and global policies. EDN's international network reaches over 15,000 organizations in 174 countries, while the domestic program keeps over 5,000 groups and over 100,000 educators coordinating millions of community development and environmental protection activities throughout the year. As a result, Earth Day is the only event celebrated simultaneously around the globe by people of all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities. More than a half billion people participate in our campaigns every year.
I'm interested in organizing an event. Where do I begin?
Visit our online Resources section for all sorts of organizing tips if you are new to putting events together. If you aren't sure what sort of project you would like to do, check out our Events calendar for ideas. Adapt the ideas you see on the calendar for your country, political climate, and environmental and social needs. If you are organizing an event, Register Your Event in our calendar so that we can share it with the world.
Who is responsible for Earth Day?
Earth Day was founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin and organized by Denis Hayes in 1970. Click on their names to find out more.
How do I get in touch with Earth Day Network?
Visit our Contact Us page.
Educators' Network
How extensive has Earth Day Network's education curricula been worldwide and where can I join?
Teachers in Taiwan, Russia and many more countries around the world are using EDN's environmental education curricula in their classrooms. In Taiwan, the Natural History Museum is distributing our lessons in Chinese. Join the network and enjoy our resources!
Network Building
What is EDN doing in terms of network building?
EDN is working with NGOs all around the world taking vast strides towards promoting Earth Day and Earth Day Network where they are most needed.
Blog
What exactly is the EDN blog and what can I learn from it?
Our blog is where you can post your thoughts about any of a number of different environmental topics. You will also be able to read all of our most recent articles about events and issues of interest to the worldwide environmental community.
Go to the EDN Blog
Discussion Board
What ways does EDN spread its environmental message and ideas out to the public?
Online forums are an ideal way for a network to put its collective knowledge and wisdom to use. When you share your know-how and experiences with the rest of the group, everyone benefits. To participate in thought-provoking conversations with other members of EDN, find the forum that meets your needs here.
Become an expert organizer
Where can I look if I want to organize an environmental campaign/event?
Earth Day Network has produced several outstanding resources for aspiring environmental campaigners, including a guide on how to organize an Earth Day event. Find these and other resources here.
Earth Day April 22
How expansive has Earth Day Network's curricula been globally and where can I join?
In 2007, EDN's international members organized 10,000 Earth Day events outside the United States, which contributed to an unprecedented level of participation worldwide in Earth Day. View interactive map and gallery of events. On Earth Day 2008, EDN will be working to green schools worldwide. Take our poll and tell us the best way to do it!
The Water for Life Campaign
What exactly is the Water for Life Campaign?
The Millennium Development Goals put the world's need for clean water and sanitation on center stage, right where it should be, and Earth Day Network is dedicated to helping meet those goals. EDN's Water for Life campaign presents visitors to our website with all they need to know to begin championing the fight for clean water and sanitation wherever they are in the world, and to take advantage of our upcoming World Water Portal. Building on the success of similar websites, this portal will allow visitors to "adopt" one of several watersheds critically important on a global level to ensure its sustainable use. Read more
Register an organization
Why should I register my organization with EDN?
Register your group with Earth Day Network to become one of our organizational partners. Doing so will give you the chance to reach out to other members, form alliances with them, and share your campaign ideas and strategies. Go to the organization registry.
Register or find an event
Why should I post an event with EDN? What benefits and opportunities will it bring to my campaign? Furthermore, where do find information if I wish to participate in an event?
Post your event on our website to strengthen your publicity campaign and attract potential partners, volunteers, or attendees. Or find an event to simply participate in. Either way, our events registry will provide you with the information you need.
Go to the events registry
How can I help those in need?
There are many ways to help. This is exactly the kind of question you should ask on Earth Day Network’s forum at http://network.earthday.net (please see below for more information on the forum). Ask me, and you’ll get my answer; ask the network, and you’ll realize the real benefit of being part of this wonderful community.
How does EDN contribute to network building and how can I register my organization with EDN?
EDN works with NGOs globally, taking vast strides towards promoting Earth Day where it is most needed. To register your organization with the Network, or locate other groups who have joined in order to contact them to share your strategic ideas or to form an alliance with them, please click here.
How can EDN help me organize an event?
EDN has produced several outstanding resources for aspiring environmental campaigners, including a guide on how to organize an Earth Day event. We’ve also compiled a fantastic list of different kinds of events our members have produced, and which you could organize, too. In addition, remember that by joining EDN you’re joining a network of organizations like yours, and our website is designed to allow you to communicate with each other in the most effective manner possible. Find EDN’s organizer’s resources here.
How can I post an event on the EDN website, or learn what events are happening near me? What is the benefit of posting an event on the site?
Posting your event on our website strengthens your publicity campaign by attracting potential partners, volunteers, and participants. If you’re just looking for an event to attend, our events registry is where you’ll find it. Go to the events registry.
Do people celebrate Earth Day around the world? How many Earth Day events have taken place recently outside the United States?
In 2007, EDN’s international members organized 10,000 Earth Day events outside the United States, contributing to an unprecedented level of participation in Earth Day. View interactive map and gallery of events.
Is there anyone in my country I can talk to about Earth Day?
There probably are many people. As of this writing (January 2, 2008), we’re working hard to shift our network members over to our new Partner Pages, so while EDN has many thousands of members all over the world, they’re not all at the new Partner Pages yet, but you can help us accomplish that by signing up at http://network.earthday.net.
What can I find on your blogs, and what can I do with them?
Our blogs are where you can post your thoughts about any of a number of different environmental topics. In fact, you can even have your own blog by joining our Partner Pages. There, you’ll also be able to read all of our most recent articles about events and issues of interest to the worldwide environmental community. Remember, though, if you have a question, it would be best to post it on the forum.
If I have a question that is not answered here, or to which I think many other people may want to know the answer, is there a forum where I could post it?
Yes, there is. Online forums are the ideal way for a network to put its collective knowledge and wisdom to use. When you share your know-how and experience with the rest of the group, everyone benefits. To participate in thought-provoking conversations with other members of EDN, find the forum that meets your needs here.
How can Earth Day Network help me build the role of environmental education in my school?
Teachers in Taiwan, Russia, the United States, and many more countries are using EDN’s environmental education curricula in their classrooms. In Taiwan, the Natural History Museum is even distributing our lessons in Chinese! Join the Educators' Network to access hundreds of free lesson plans for your students’ enjoyment.
What is EDN’s Water for Life Campaign?
The Millennium Development Goals put the world’s need for clean water and sanitation on center stage, right where it should be, and EDN is dedicated to helping meet those goals. EDN’s Water for Life campaign presents visitors to our website with all they need to know to begin championing the fight for clean water and sanitation wherever they are in the world, and to take advantage of our upcoming Adopt-A-Water-Project Web Portal. Building on the success of similar websites, this portal will allow visitors to “adopt” one of several water or sanitation projects, and help save the lives of thousands of people by providing them with access to those resources. Read more
