Earth Day 2022 - live: Global protests staged as WHO says keep fossil fuels in ground
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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.
Goodbye
We are now closing our Earth Day 2022 live blog. Thank you for following our coverage!
Britons least likely to be worried about climate crisis than other Europeans in YouGov poll
A YouGov poll for Earth Day has found most Europeans are worried about the climate crisis and its effects.
Interestingly, Britains were the least likely group to say this out of the others polled. Italians were the most likely:
Dalai Lama message on Earth Day
The Dalai Lama has called for steps to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, more renewable energy and more trees in a message on Earth Day.
“In my own life I have witnessed the decline in snowfall, first in Tibet and later in Dharamsala. Indeed, some scientists have told me that there is a risk of places like Tibet eventually becoming deserts,” he says.
“That is why I am committed to speaking out for the protection of Tibet’s fragile environment.”
US president comments on Earth Day
Keeping to the theme of this year’s event, Joe Biden says investing in climate resilience, infrastructure and clean energy can help to tackle the climate crisis:
‘How was the flight?'
Alok Sharma, the Cop26 president, has tweeted about marking Earth Day in Washington DC.
Some have been asking how he travelled there. “How was the flight?” one reply quipped.
Washington DC protest against fossil fuels
Activists have draped a “no new fossil fuels” banner off the Washington DC mayoral building:
Paul McCartney leads celebrities marking Earth Day
Celebrities are marking Earth Day on their social media. Here are a few here:
BREAKING: Extinction Rebellion block printers for US newspapers including NYT as Earth Day protests kick off
UN warning of triple environmental crisis
The United Nations has released a message for Earth Day, warning of a triple environmental crisis facing the planet;
Keep fossil fuels in the ground, World Health Organisation says
The World Health Organisation has said fossil fuels should stay “in the ground” for cleaner air in a tweet on Earth Day:
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