On Thursday, April 22, over one billion people in almost 200 countries around the world will celebrate Earth Day. Created in 1970, the holiday inspires both globally organized events and individual commitments to protecting the environment.

The leading coordinator of Earth Day activities is EARTHDAY.ORG, whose website provides educational resources and can help anyone in the world find an Earth Day event nearby. EARTHDAY.ORG works worldwide in five main categories: Climate and Action, Science and Education, People and Communities, Conservation and Restoration, and Plastic and Pollution. Each year, the organization chooses a theme for Earth Day to center activities around, 2021’s being “Restore Our Earth.”

Earth Day activities will look different this year because of COVID-19, but there are still plenty of events to participate in. EARTHDAY.ORG will host Earth Day Live 2021 from April 20 to 22, hosting virtual summits, panel discussions, and special performances related to a variety of environmental topics.

Locally, EARTHDAY.ORG promotes a few activities we can participate in. The Jewish Museum of Maryland will host a “Party for the Planet” Zoom on April 18 at 4 p.m., perfect for families and including activities for younger children. On April 22 at 6 p.m., Goucher College, Towson University, and UMBC will host a Zoom panel called “Community Solutions for Building a Just Baltimore” during which community leaders and grassroots organizers will discuss and answer questions about land rights, equitable development, food sovereignty, and other environmental justice topics. Both of these events are free to attend.

As Spring reminds us of the beauty of our Earth, consider taking some time to participate in group activities or individual lifestyle changes on and after Earth Day to protect our planet.