Earth Optimism Earth Day 50th – Paul DelPonte

Smithsonian Associates Inside Science & Technology Interview Series

Welcome to The Not Old Better Show. I’m Paul Vogelzang, and this is episode #443.

As part of our Smithsonian Associates, Inside Science, Earth Optimism Initiative, today’s show is an another important one.

I say that a lot lately, because the 50th anniversary of Earth Day is two days away: April 22.

Are we there yet? 

Almost! With just two days until Earth Day, I wanted to make sure you had everything you need to join the global digital surge at EarthOptimism.si.edu

In the surge, we’re getting the whole world talking about Earth Day. We’re flooding digital platforms with messages of hope, optimism, and action to keep the environment front and center in our collective global conversation. 

Join in from wherever you are with the hashtag #EarthDay2020.

Given the social distancing we are all practicing, one of the truly great ways to join in the celebration is to join the digital Earth Optimism event, April 22 – 24.

Our guest today, Paul DelPonte is a long time planet earth, recycling, and environmental advocate.

The Earth Optimism event is just that: an event of optimism about our planet earth, and the 50th anniversary of Earth Day is the right time to celebrate.

Because meeting the shock and awe of extreme floods, droughts, storms, and fires from California and the Mississippi to Venice and the Caribbean calls for plans and action, as well as optimism. As the planet faces changes in climate and increased extreme weather events, adaptation is higher than ever before on the global agenda. But, we have to start thinking we can do this…don’t doubt, have faith, and please listen and act on what Paul DelPonte will share with us.

Our in-person interactions will return, but right now we have Paul DelPonte to via internet phone to help us understand how to better celebrate Earth Day 50th anniversary.

My thanks to Paul DelPonte for joining us today to talk about Earth Day, and how the global conservation movement has reached a turning point. We all are aware, and it has been well documented the fast pace of habitat loss, the growing number of endangered and extinct species, and the increasing speed of global climate change. Yet while the seriousness of these threats cannot be denied, there are a growing number of examples of improvements in the health of species and ecosystems, along with benefits to human well-being, thanks to our conservation actions. Earth Optimism celebrates a change in focus from the problem to solution, from a sense of loss to one of hope, in the dialogue about conservation and sustainability. Join me in supporting and attending Earth Day 50th anniversary events such as the Earth Optimism Digital Summit. Again, as Paul DelPonte mentioned, check out earthoptimism.si.edu
And my thanks always to you, my wonderful Not Old Better Show audience. Remember, stay safe everyone, practice smart social distancing, and Talk About Better. The Not Old Better Show. Thanks, everybody.
Links shared by Paul DelPonte:
www.earthday.org
www.si.edu
https://www.epa.gov/earthday
https://environmental-action.org/
https://www.conservation.org/