\nTwo major mobiliztions to preserve the planet took place this month in the United States and Canada. Close to a million people <\/a> turned out across the United States and Canada for the March for Science on April 22. A week later, at least a quarter of a million turned out for the Peoples Climate March.<\/p>\n \nAt the main March for Science <\/a> in Washington, D.C., the American scientist Bill Nye, an honorary co-chair of the event, delivered a speech to a crowd of tens of thousands in pouring rain. \u2018Show the world that science is for all. Our lawmakers must know and accept that science serves every one of us,\u2019 Nye said before shouting out, \u2018Save the world!\u2019 <\/p>\n \nFor the Peoples Climate March <\/a> a week later, over 200,000 people took part in the Washington, D.C. march and another 50,000 or so in 370 sister marches across the country. According to its national coordinator, “\u201cThis march grew out of the relationship building among some of the country\u2019s most important progressive organizations and movements. . . . to pressure global leaders to act on climate change. There was a simple demand \u2013 act . . . act on climate while creating family-sustaining jobs, investing in frontline and indigenous communities and protecting workers who will be impacted by the transition to a new clean and renewable energy economy.\u201d”<\/p>\n \nIf one were to map the largest turnouts, it would look almost the same as the map we published back in January <\/a> for the women\u2019s marches against the inauguration of President Trump, which, in turn was almost the same as the map for the election results.<\/p>\n \nThe marches for science were appropriately set for April 22, which is recognized by the United Nations as Mother Earth Day<\/a>.<\/p>\n \nThe UN initiative came from Latin America, and, indeed, it was celebrated this year in most Latin American countries<\/a>, including statements from the Presidents of Bolivia and Venezuela that linked it to the culture of peace and to socialism. In addition to Bolivia and Venezuela, we gave some details from celebrations in Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru and Argentina. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \nFor example, in Honduras<\/a>, public and private environmental organizations planted thousands of trees in urban and rural areas to raise awareness of the importance of caring for the planet, while in Argentina <\/a> there were workshops, ecological activities and even the country\u2019s first \u201cbio festival\u201d of music, held in the city of Rosario.<\/p>\n \nIn addition to the science marches, there were many other celebrations of Earth Day across the United States and Canada<\/a>. These included Earthday fairs with educational activities, tree planting and community environmental cleanups. Especially unique and appropriate was the earthday event in North Dakota, where the horseback riders of the Dakota Exile Healing Ride <\/a> celebrated the \u201cSweet Corn Treaty\u201d that occurred in 1870 with the Chippewa and Sioux tribes. They called for \u201csharing our homelands and responsibilities to the lands, and water as well as respect for each other\u2019s cultures and traditions by sharing once again as Dakota did\u201d.<\/p>\n \nOne would have hoped that Earth Day would be celebrated around the world and would indicate a growing consciousness for the culture of peace, given that sustainable development is one of its eight program areas. Indeed, some claim that these celebrations involved “a billion people.” in “195 countries.”<\/a> Unfortunately, our survey of Earth Day activities around the world <\/a> failed to confirm any large participation outside of North and South America.<\/p>\n \nCertainly, there is a growing consciousness around the world that we must act to save our planet, a consciousness that complements the anti-war consciousness that we have seen on the UN International Day of Peace<\/a>. Although the consciousness is worldwide, perhaps it is appropriate that the largest mobilizations at this time are taking place in the United States, since it is the American empire that poses the greatest threat to the environment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/english.cpnn-world.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/earthday.png\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/english.cpnn-world.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Beirut.png\")
![](\"https:\/\/english.cpnn-world.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Brazil.jpg\")
![](\"https:\/\/english.cpnn-world.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/climate-march.jpg\"width=\"240\")
![](\"https:\/\/english.cpnn-world.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/togo-femmes.jpg\")
![](\"https:\/\/english.cpnn-world.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/sanctuary.jpg\")
![](\"https:\/\/english.cpnn-world.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/falk.jpg\")
![](\"https:\/\/english.cpnn-world.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/theatre-1.jpg\")