Happy Earth Day! Fifty years ago today, advocates mobilized more than 20 million people to demand action on the environmental challenges of the time. Today, Earth Day is observed in around 190 countries, celebrated by almost 100,000 organizations, and is the largest civic observance in the world.

While we can’t celebrate in person this year, here are three quick and easy ways to celebrate today while still observing social distance guidelines:

Tell the EPA they can’t suspend pollution enforcement amid a global health crisis. Earlier this month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it had suspended enforcement of U.S. environmental laws indefinitely, blaming the global COVID-19 pandemic. With this lawless and unprecedented decision, the EPA is avoidably placing communities in danger through unchecked air pollution and other pollution that threatens our air, water, land and wildlife resources — putting vulnerable Virginia communities at risk. Sign the petition today!

Tune in to Earth Day Network’s 11-hour digital event from 9am-9pm EST. Special guests will include His Holiness Pope Francis, Zac Effron, Al Gore, and Virginia’s own Dave Matthews. You can join the stream here.

Get outside and show us how you’re celebrating! Tag us in your pictures on Facebook (VCNVAorg), Twitter (@VCNVAorg), and Instagram (va_conservation). Make sure to also use the hashtag #EarthDay2020. While outside, be sure to follow local and state social distancing guidelines. 

Thank you from all of us at VCN. We hope you enjoy a happy and healthy Earth Day.