Earth Day 2022 - live: Global protests staged as WHO says keep fossil fuels in ground

Follow live as Earth Day 2022 is celebrated across the globe

Timelapse shows impact of climate change across different locales around planet

Global protests are taking place to mark Earth Day, a global event to celebrate and mobilise in support of protecting the environment.

This has included a blockade by Extinction Rebellion members at a printing works for major US newspapers - including The New York Times and Wall Street Journal - in a protest against media climate coverage. The group said 15 activists were arrested.

Other rallies are taking place across the US and the world, including planned demonstrations against Russian fossil fuels in Europe.

Many other events are being held across the globe to celebrate the 52nd annual event for the environment, including talks, film screenings and local litter picking events.

Earth Day 2022 has a theme of “Invest in our Planet” with a focus on encouraging individuals, businesses and world leaders to invest and switch to greener technologies and practices.

The World Health Organisation called for fossil fuels to “stay in the ground” to prevent air pollution as it tweeted about the annual day for the environment.

Key Points

• Extinction Rebellion carries out blockade at US newspaper printing plant
• Images from Extinction Rebellion newspaper plant blockade
• Climate activists to protest against Russian fossil fuels
• Keep fossil fuels in the ground, World Health Organisation says
• What is Earth Day?

[22 April 2022 10:33 · Zoe Tidman]

What can you do to help the climate movement? A youth activist explains

Scarlett Westbrook, a youth climate activist, has written for The Independent this Earth Day.

If you’re wondering what you can do to help the environmental movement and what it is in the works, this is the piece for you.

Have a read here:

[22 April 2022 09:47 · Zoe Tidman]

Images from XR protest at US newspaper printing plant

Heading back to the US, here are some pictures from the Extinction Rebellion blockade at the US newspaper printing facility:

Environmental activist group Extinction Rebellion sets up a blockade in front of the New York Times printing plant (Getty Images)

Activists from Extinction Rebellion take part in an Earth Day demonstration blockading the gate of The New York Times Distribution print facility (REUTERS)

An activist from Extinction Rebellion takes part in an Earth Day demonstration blockading the gate of the New York Times Distribution print facility (REUTERS)

[22 April 2022 09:00 · Zoe Tidman]

Seminal moments in the climate movement over the past 52 years

Today marks the 52nd time Earth Day has been celebrated across the globe.

Many key moments in the environmental movement have happened in this time, including historic agreements and waves of people joining the campaign against the climate crisis.

Myself and Louise Boyle, our senior climate correspondent in New York, have taken a look at them for Earth Day:

[22 April 2022 08:52 · Zoe Tidman]

XR ‘blocks printing plants’ for US newspapers

Over in the US, Extinction Rebellion have brought in Earth Day 2022 with protests.

The group says it has disrupted the printing plants for major newspapers in protest against climate coverage:

[22 April 2022 08:36 · Zoe Tidman]

South Korea activists protest with plastic waste

But before this kicks off in Europe, let’s go to the other side of the world where protests have already been happening.

This Earth Day, environmental activists in Seoul in South Korea have lay down on the floor with plastic bags over their heads in a demonstration against the climate crisis.

South Korean environmental activists lie on the ground with plastic waste during a campaign marking Earth Day against climate change (AFP via Getty Images)

South Korean environmental activists lie on the ground with plastic waste during a campaign marking Earth Day at a park along the Han River in Seoul (AFP via Getty Images)

[22 April 2022 08:24 · Zoe Tidman]

Climate activists to protest against Russian fossil fuels

Climate activists are set to protest outside Germany government and embassy buildings across Europe on Earth Day 2022 as they call for stronger action against Russian fossil fuels.

Activists in Berlin, Warsaw, Brussels and elsewhere are expected to hand out red-stained roubles to symbolize blood covering a currency they say is fuelling both climate change and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Germany is one of the EU countries opposed to an embargo on Russian oil and gas for fear of damage to their economies.

Watch this space for pictures and details of the protests later today.

[22 April 2022 08:10 · Zoe Tidman]

What is Earth Day?

Before Earth Day 2022 properly kicks off, let’s quickly remind ourselves of what the yearly event is.

In short, it is a day that every year offers people around the world a chance to focus on the planet and the challenges facing it.

Ethan Freedman, our climate reporter in New York, explains in full:

[22 April 2022 08:06 · Zoe Tidman]

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage as the world marks Earth Day 2022.