Dear Friend,

In the last week, the world has turned out by the millions to demand action on climate change. The results continue to inspire us, and we wanted to share some of these events from around the world.

Last Monday: In Washington, D.C, Earth Day Network and Twitter hosted an event that featured several prominent youth climate leaders, ahead of the global climate strike movement. 

The event, “Bringing Youth To Power,” featured Earth Uprising founder Alexandria Villaseñor, Earth Guardians Youth Director and hip hop artist Xiuhtezcatl Martinez and This Is Zero Hour founder Jamie Margolin, among others.

Missed any of the discussions? Tune in now to watch the livestream on Twitter!

Friday: On September 20, more than 4 million people around the world took to the streets to join the global climate strike movement. From New York to New Delhi, activists of all ages joined together to deliver their message to leaders: The planet is in a climate emergency, and we will not sit by and do nothing.

As Fridays for Future founder Greta Thunberg said on Friday, “Together and united, we are unstoppable. This is what people power looks like. We will rise to the challenge.”

Read our recap on the September 20 global climate strikes: “Change is coming, whether they like it or not:” Youth climate strikes break records worldwide

Saturday: On September 21, more than 20 million people from 179 countries and every U.S. state and territory turned out for World Cleanup Day and National Cleanup Day! 

Following the global climate strike movement the day before, National Cleanup Day and World Cleanup Day built on the momentum of greater action in the face of the climate crisis.

Around the world, people tackled out-of-control waste and plastic pollution, and educated others on the perils of single-use plastic while encouraging individuals and governments to change behavior and policies regarding consumption and waste.

What did cleanups look like in your community and your country?  Read our recap of some of the top cleanups around the world!

Saturday: Also on Saturday, the United Nations hosted its first-ever Youth Climate Summit, bringing together hundreds of youth climate leaders from around the world to discuss climate solutions for the future.

“Change rarely happens from the top down,” climate activist Bruno Rodriguez said at the summit. “It happens when millions of people demand change.”

Earth Day Network joined the Youth Climate Action Summit live from NYC! Read our full coverage of the event on our blog.

Monday: “The eyes of all future generations are upon you. And if you choose to fail us, we will never forgive you. We will not let you get away with this. Right here, right now, is where we draw the line.”

With passion and emotion, Greta Thunberg addressed a room of more than a hundred heads of state at the U.N. Climate Action Summit on Monday.

The event brought world leaders to the U.N. headquarters in New York to discuss plans to cut emissions in the face of global warming.

Read our blog on the UN Climate Action Summit, and share Greta’s message on social media. 

How did you take action in the past week, and how are you planning to take action in the future? Let us know: Tag us on social media @earthdaynetwork with your plans using the hashtag #EarthRise as we build toward the 50th anniversary of Earth Day in 2020.

Because this isn’t a day — it’s a movement, and we need you!

- The Earth Day Network Team