An estimated one billion people have participated in Earth Day events every year on April 22 since the day was launched in 1970.
But in the five decades since that first Earth Day, the day has, in many ways, been “greenwashed,” defined by the Oxford dictionary as “disinformation disseminated by an organization so as to present an environmentally responsible public image.”
To wit: Coca Cola, one of the world’s worst plastic polluters, tweeted out to remind its followers to “Love your mother <3” on last year’s Earth Day.
Earth Day’s beginnings decades ago were genuine. The first event was led by Senator of Wisconsin, Gaylord Nelson, in an effort to get people to care about the environment, issues like air pollution from industry and transportation, and a large oil spill in Santa Barbara, California that happened just the year prior.
The first event was successful. It drew 13,000 people for demonstrations around the world demanding change. Some say Earth Day even created a movement, evidenced by new environmental protection legislation that was passed in 1970 and in the following years, the creation of environmental studies programs at colleges and universities, and more environmental coverage in media and literature, following that first event.
Detroit was especially involved in the early Earth Days through the United Auto Workers. Walter Reuther, the leader of the UAW at that time, had a strong connection with Gaylord Nelson, before Nelson became senator, and before the first Earth Day.
It was labor activists, and the UAW that were the early supporters of Earth Day, Jamon Jordan, the City of Detroit’s official historian, told Planet Detroit. The UAW led teach-ins and programming, he said.
“It was Walter Reuther and other neighbor activists who were coming to the teach-ins to discuss issues surrounding environmental justice, dumping, and water pollution,” Jordan said.
“That’s the non-corporate non-government wing of those early Earth Days, where they would really kind of protest against the status quo,” he said.
And Detroit is still a leader in Earth Day and the overall fight for environmental protection. A group that is “still holding that early fire” Jordan said is Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice.
“Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice is one of the major organizations in the city of Detroit that has this long history of treating Earth Day as a time to highlight and bring focus to environmental injustice, environmental racism, environmental pollution, and dangers to the climate.”
A number of other Detroit organizations are also continuing this fight to protect the planet and its people. Check out this list of Earth Day events in Detroit to get involved.
Watch a 1970s Sci-Fi classic
April 16
Watch Soylent Green, a 1973 classic that takes viewers to the year 2022, when ecological disaster has taken hold. The event will be co-hosted by Greening of Detroit, an organization working to prevent the predictions of Soylent Green from coming true. Get tickets here.
Senate Theater
6424 Michigan Ave. Detroit, MI 48210
Ride free with MoGo
April 21
Celebrate Earth Day by exploring Detroit by bike. Rent a bike for free from any one of MoGo’s 75 stations across Metro Detroit. Find a bike here.
Take home a free tree
April 22
The Greening of Detroit, The Arbor Day Foundation, and TD Bank will be giving away trees on a first-come, first-serve basis. The trees come in 3-gallon pots, with instructions for planting. Tree experts will also be on hand to help you figure out the best place to plant your tree.
13000 W. Mc.Nichols Detroit, MI 48235
WAAJEED + LADYMONIX B2B OFF-GRID EARTH DAY SET
April 22, 2022 4:30 PM EDT
Underground Music Academy & Solar Party Detroit present Waajeed and Ladymonix for a back-to-back set 100% powered by the sun.
Online; register here.
Earth Day Exhibition
April 22-April 24
View select artwork at the intersection of environment and climate justice.
Belle Isle Aquarium
Plant a tree with the Greening of Detroit
April 23
Help The Greening of Detroit plant trees at Corrigan Playground. Don’t forget to dress to get dirty, and bring water! Sign up here.
5151 Alter Road Detroit, MI 48224
City of Detroit events
Lunch & learns, nature hikes, cleanups, and an update on Detroit’s Sustainability Agenda.
Multiple dates and locations, check here.
Rally to fight climate change
April 23
Join Oakland County communities to rally for a sustainable world. In addition to a march, there will be art, live music, speeches from political leaders. Sign up here.
Centennial Commons Park
203 S Troy St., Royal Oak, MI 48067
Clean up the Detroit riverfront
April 23
Celebrate Earth Day by joining the Detroit River Coalition as they clean up several sites along the Detroit River. Cleanup sites include Dequindre Cut Greenway, Rouge Park, and Trenton Rotary Park.
To see a list of locations click here.
Celebrate at a Zero Waste Store
April 23
Walking Lightly, a zero-waste store is hosting a free party for Earth Day and the anniversary of the shop. The celebration will include DIY seed bombs, a smoothie truck, and a DIY rain barrel workshop.
1031 Hilton Rd. Ferndale, MI 48220
Clean up Palmer Park
April 23
Pick up trash, weed, sweep, and rake for a cleaner Palmer Park. The volunteer group that registers the most people will win a prize.
Palmer Park Community Building
1121 Merrill Plaisance St. Detroit, MI 48203Do you know of an Earth Day event to add to this list? Send an email to connect@planetdetroit.org and let us know!