Text by Paula Dittrick, TMNCPC blogmaster, photos by Joyce Tipton, TMNCPC Spring 2021 intern, and Hoiman Low, TMNCPC member.
Many people turned to nature for comfort and solace during the COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020. What might 2021 bring? What might a trend of increased attention about the planet’s sustainability mean for Texas Master Naturalists?
The 2021 Earth Day theme is “Restore the Planet.” Various organizers planned numerous online events for April 21-22. National Geographic hosted an Earth Day Eve online celebration with musical performances and special appearances.
“Through the combined power of music and storytelling, you’ll leave uplifted, energized, and with a renewed commitment to living more lightly on the planet,” National Geographic said on its web site about its event scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EDT on April 21.
Separately, Education International hosted “Teach for the Planet: Global Education Summit” on April 21, which was streamed on EARTHDAY.ORG in anticipation of Earth Day on April 22.
This summit focused on the role of educators in addressing climate change. Education International seeks to introduce “climate literacy” into schools, saying climate education should become a standard part of school curriculums worldwide.
The group wants climate-change education to be included on the agenda of a United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26) scheduled for November 2021 in Glasgow, UK. Education International also hopes climate-change education can be incorporated into the Paris Agreement.