Each April, the world comes together to celebrate our home planet, Earth.
Earth Day was first recognized on April 22, 1970 after the nation and the world witnessed more than 4.2 million gallons of oil spill off of the coast of Santa Barbara, California. The spill spoiled a 35-mile stretch of coastline, killing more than 3,800 birds and causing more than $175 million (adjusted) in damages. The incident helped to establish the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Clean Water Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.
The Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory now serves as the hub of activities at Arizona State University that honors Earth Day each April 22. Since 2021, beginning with the dedication of the Walton Center for Planetary Health, ASU and the Global Futures Laboratory have welcomed celebrated speakers including Vice President Al Gore, Dr. Jane Goodall, Peter Seligmann, Ukrainian activist Zoya Lytvyn, conservation author Enric Sala, climate action entrepreneur Leah Lizarondo and peace and leadership expert Maya Soetoro-Ng.
We invite you to join us as we continue to discover, understand and celebrate our relationship with our planet.
ASU Earth Day signature events
Earth Day Walk 2025
Join ASU University Sustainability Practices in partnership with SRP for a free celebration of sustainability by walking Mountain America Stadium at distances of either 1.5 miles in recognition of the urgent need to limit global warming to 1.5 C, or 3 miles in honor of the three pillars of sustainability. The first 200 participants receive an Earth Day Every Day t-shirt or bandana.
Earth Day Food Trucks
Enjoy lunch in the Walton Center for Planetary Health atrium, provided by local food trucks who specialize in healthy and eco-friendly vegan and vegetarian dining options for attendees. A limited number of meal vouchers will be available to registered guests of the Global Futures Laboratory Earth Day Celebration, while supplies last.
Global Futures Laboratory Earth Day Celebration: Focused on Our Futures
The Global Futures Laboratory invites you to join this special celebration of our planet and all of its inhabitants. Programs across this three-hour event include a youth leadership panel focusing on Conversation on Impact, an Earth Day edition of Global Futures Conversation and the State of Global Futures Address by ASU Vice President and Vice Provost of Global Futures, Peter Schlosser, as well as other presentations from Global Futures Scientists and Scholars.
Why Earth Day matters
If you put millions, and then hopefully billions of tiny, ethical choices together, the cumulative effect moves us towards the kind of change we need to see. More and more young people understand that.
Dr. Jane Goodall ASU Earth Day 2022
All ASU Earth Day events
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ASU’s Global Futures Laboratory embodies an unwavering commitment to safeguarding our planet and fostering a future where well-being is not just a dream, but a reality.
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