— FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE —
Contact
Dan Xie, Political Director
Student PIRGs
[email protected], 858-353-1452
[Remote, United States of America] — On April 22nd, 2020, Americans will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day a little differently.
The Student Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs) are planning to host digital events across the country advocating for 100% renewable energy, bee friendly habitats, zero waste communities, and more. Events will include virtual rallies with elected officials and musical guests, Netflix documentary watching parties, remote grassroots call-in days, social media actions, and educational panels.
“The environmental movement has made important progress in the last 50 years, and young people have played a major role along way,” said Alex Gordon, second year at Eckerd College and coordinator of Florida PIRGs’ Break Free From Plastics campaign. “Our generation’s work is cut out for us. Between the climate crisis, massive bee die-offs, and the plastic crisis, our generation faces some of the biggest global environmental challenges yet.”
Thousands of national, state, and local organizations and volunteers will be the driving force behind Earth Day 2020. Nationally, the Student Public Interest Research Groups are hosting over 50 events next week to engage students across the country on environmental issues.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have the luxury of only addressing one crisis at a time,” said Sithara Menon, third year at the University of California – Los Angeles and campaign coordinator with CALPIRG Students. “With less than a decade to solve global warming, the Environmental Protection Agency has loosened car efficiency standards and suspended enforcement of key provisions of our nation’s environmental laws. Now more than ever, we need young people to act.”
Founded in 1970, the first Earth Day mobilized millions of Americans to take action for clean air, clean water, and protecting open spaces. This nationwide activation resulted in the passage of some of the most important environmental legislation in the United States like the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act, and helped launch the modern environmental movement.
Since 1971, the Student PIRGs have played a major role in preserving our clean air, clean water, and open spaces. Leading up to Earth Day, students celebrated their top 50 campaign victories in anticipation for the 50th anniversary.
PIRG chapters in Florida, North Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, California, Oregon, and Washington will be hosting events next Wednesday.
For inquiries about the Student PIRGs’ national Earth Day events in these 9 states please contact: Dan Xie, Student PIRGs Political Director, [email protected], 858-353-1452.
