Message from Highland Council Convener for Earth Day 2020

Today, Wednesday 22 April, is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Launched in 1970, the first Earth Day is credited with launching the modern environmental movement and is now recognized as the planet’s largest civic event.

The theme for Earth Day 2020 is climate action so the Convener of The Highland Council has taken this opportunity to reaffirm the Council’s commitment to tackling climate change by taking meaningful actions that make a difference.

Councillor Bill Lobban said: “The Council has recognised the threat posed by climate change and declared a climate and ecological emergency back in May 2019. 

“This Earth Day, it is important to remember that whilst the current COVID-19 crisis is clearly a critical focus, there is much we can learn about our collective response to the current emergency to tackle the long-term risk posed by our changing climate.” 

While Earth Day 2020 will be celebrated digitally this year, people can still take part by visiting www.earthday.org 

The Highland Council’s Climate Change Team are currently concentrating on assisting with the COVID-19 response but are planning a suite of events to take place across the Highlands in September for Climate Week 2020.