What is Earth Day?
It’s a day when we think about our planet Earth, learn, get connected and take actions.
[ The biggest earth festival gathering in Japan ]
April 22nd is Earth Day around the globe. It is a day to think about Earth and the problems we face and take actions to solve them. It is a free and open movement where anyone can participate in any way they like, to show their love and care for our beautiful Earth.
In 1970, Senator G.Nelson from Wisconsin, USA declared April 22nd as Earth Day.
It all started by him trying to get people become aware of environmental issues and by creating Earth Day, students and citizens joined the boat.
This led the President of the American Student Council, Dennis Hayes to encourage people throughout the country. The first Earth Day in US ended up being very successful with at least 20 million people participating. In Japan, the first Earth Day was held in 1990 and since then the movement spread nationwide to cities like Tokyo, Hokkaido, Chiba, Shounan, Toyama, Ishikawa, Nagano, Osaka and Okinawa.
Earth Day Tokyo Achievements: (Since 2001)
April 21st to 22nd. 2001
“Make a new step, be a part of our Earth!”
Total Attendance: 80,000
This was a very successful event. There were ones held in Yoyogi Park and Meiji Shrine and also in Shinjuku Park Tower where the event was broadcast via the Internet for the first time ever. The huge opening of 80,000 people and with great publicity, it gained momentum and opened up the doors to the 21st century.
April 20th to 21st. 2002
The day we all think about the Earth
Held in Yoyogi Park, Meiji Shrine, and Shibuya AX
Total Attendance: 80,000
Following the previous year’s success, the committee focused on getting more support and involvement from groups and individuals. This led to expanding the Earthday Network and brought lots of new excitement to the event. Despite the bad weather on the 2nd day, 2002’s Earth Day also finished off very successfully.
April 19th to 20th. 2003
“Come on! Let’s make a change, Earth Resident!”
Held in Yoyogi Park, Harajuku. Shibuya site also prosperous.
Total Attendance: 90,000
Having the event in Yoyogi Park became the norm. The area expanded to grass fields ( area A) where kids could run around and play and Area B spread out into the street next to the NHK Hall with many booths.
April 17th to 18th, 2004
“We’re ready to make a change!” Earth Day.
Network of Earth Day events flourished in many parts of Japan.
Total Attendance: 100,000
This year was even more successful, with support from scores of musicians and artists as well as more than 30 planning committees. Also thanks to the perfect warm Spring weather, the event in Yoyogi Park was filled with excitement.
April 23rd to 24th, 2005.
“Time for Action! Enforcement of The Kyoto Protocol
Earth Day moves to a new stage.
Total Attendance: 110,000
The founder of Earth Day, Dennis Hayes took part in the event.
We published a green lifestyle guide book to shift people’s mindset and behaviour to a more sustainable way.
April 22nd to 23rd, 2006
“The Greenery Connection”
Earth Day ‘Friendship Walk’ to connect with East Asia.
Total Attendance: 100,000
Many media started to recognise Earth Day as a big movement. This year 458 groups participated. The ‘Earth Day Friendship Walk’ was held in Yoyogi Park. To show an alternative and our possibilities, recycled tempura oil was collected onsite and used to power all the audio and lighting during the event.
April 21st to 22nd, 2007
“LOVE! Everybody is connected to the Earth”
Total Attendance: 120,000 people
Themed on the concept of suggesting the 2-steps toward the near future society
With the total attendance being more than 120,000 people, Earth Day in Yoyogi Park was starting to be by far one of the largest citizen driven movement in Japan.
Earth Day 2007 specifically focused on energy and food.
This year all of the in-house power was generated by natural energy. By using forestation to make up for the emissions caused by the event goer’s vehicles, Earth Day succeeded in creating zero CO2 emissions. This was a perfect way to promote using sustainable energy sources.
As for food, Earth Day promoted the importance of having a connection with farmers and consumers alike. Also to note the significance of having environmentally friendly food like locally produced, locally consumed, seasonal food and GMO-free products.
Event data of Earth Day Tokyo 2007
Total Attendance: 120,000 people
Events participated in; 51
Other related events; 14
Volunteers: 479 people
Sponsors: 45 companies
Groups participating: 376
Donations: 811,940 yen
Media Atendance: 161
Collected recycled oil: 1040 litres (in advance), 160 litres (on the day)
878 litres were used for bio diesel fuel.
Website access: Largest was on the 22nd April, 53,749 visits, page viewed 107,288
Outline for Earth Day Tokyo 2008
Date: Sat 19th, Sun 20th, Tue 22nd 2008
Main site: Yoyogi Park
Host: Earth Day Tokyo 2008 executive planning committee
Aimed attendance: 120,000 people
Theme: Shift to green
Concept: The movement to make the world more greener.
This year, the mission for Earth Day Tokyo 2008 is to convey the knowledge and messages that have been learnt from past events and to develop positive impact to people’s behaviour. Therefore Earth Day is going to focus on ‘energy’, ‘food’ and ‘agriculture’ which is essential to our every day lives.
Recommended topics for Earth Day Tokyo2008:
1. Earth Day Energy Action
Three different kinds of green energy powered events will appear in Yoyogi Park!!
BDF, solar power and hydrogen are the main energy sources for Earth Day Tokyo 2008. Not only eco fuel like recycled tempura oil and bio diesel (which powers the main stage), but there will also be an “Eco-Mobile” - a green-energy powered car - in Yoyogi Park!
There will also be a talk show with guests who are the pioneers in their field, to discuss
Visions for a sustainable world and what we can to do make the world more green.
Another highlight for this year is the hydrogen-powered generator, which is going to be shown to the public for the very first time! Live shows including a fair-trade talk show themed on ‘peace’ and ‘smile’, will be delivered entirely by hydrogen power!
Powered by BDF! [Earth Day Concert]
Sat, 19th, Sun 20th of April
Open-air stage in Yoyogi Park
Cast: GANGA ZUMBA, Takako Shiroi, Seikou Ito, Kan Takagi & Saya Takagi.
*Admission free – donations will be appreciated.
Powered By Solar! [Earth Day Green talk stage]
Sat, 19th, Sun 20th of April
Event is at the avenue lined with Zelkova trees, Yoyogi Park
Powered by Hydrogen! [Fair-trade market & “Peasmile” (Peace+Smile!) event]
Event stage in Yoyogi Park.
Aim to be self-sufficient! Mission: “Recycle Tempura Oil!”
Sat, 19th, Sun 20th of April
Yoyogi Park
From 23rd of Feb (Sat) to 20th of April (Sun),
We need lots of recycled to achieve a self-sufficient energy supply. That goes for the eco fuel ‘BDF’ as well, as it was last year. So please bring as much used oil as possible!
The aimed amount of oil is 1 tonne. We aim to offset 2.6 tonnes of CO2.
Shop with green energy from now on. Lots of new shops are joining in!
Shops using green electricity are increasing each year. This year is no exception and even more shops are participating.
Newly joined Shops:
AVEDA Co., Ltd, TOWER RECORDS, TOUYOKO Inn, PATAGONIA Japan branch, Flags, Bay Cruise Group, United Arrows, RAG TAG.
*The period of time, and content of those events, will be decided by the shops themselves.
Earth Day Mobile Rally Powered by Green electricity!
Sponsored shops that are going to use green electricity will take part in the Earth Day Mobile Rally. Take pictures of the green electricity certificates from each shop, then go to Yoyogi Park and win fantastic prizes by answering quiz!
Detailed information will be announced in April on the Earth Day official Website.
2. Earth Day Food Action
Restaurants that specialise in seasonal, locally produced food for local consumption (and therefore have low “Food mileage”) will gather in the Earth Day kitchen.
[Earth Day Kitchen]
Sat, 19th and Sun 20th of April
Event space is at the avenue lined with Zelkova trees, Yoyogi Park
Because we’re aware of the fact that most of the rubbish at the event is from the disposable plates and cutlery, Earth Day Tokyo has started using ‘Dish Reuse System’ to solve this problem and achieve zero garbage!
3. Earth Day Agri Action
Farmers and other food producers get together in Yoyogi Park! There will be a lot of natural, eco-friendly seasonal farm products available. This will be a perfect and rare opportunity for farm producers and consumers to talk face to face.
We’re sure that the fresh vegetables and smiles in the market area will make you feel welcome!
Earth Day Market & Farmers Garden [‘Spring’]
Sat, 19th and Sun 20th of April
At the event space in Yoyogi Park, (the Zelkova-tree avenue)
4. Our messages for G8 summit at Lake Toya,
July 2008.
Serious global environmental problems, poverty and other issues around the globe is has become a big concern for many people. In Yoyogi Park, visitors can send their messages and hopes for the future.
There will be a film festival and a talk session at the United Nations University to learn about Earth’s current situation and discuss changes we can make for the better.
[G8 Summit NGO Forum 2008]
Sat, 19th and Sun 20th of April
In Yoyogi Park.
[Earth Day Tokyo 2008, the Planet’s Future -77 days left until the Lake Toya summit, think of the Earth on this day]
Tue, 22nd of April
At the “U-Tanto International Conference Hall” in United Nations University
5. Concert halls in Japan shift to green,
one after another!
The collaboration of Music Day (11th anniversary this year) with Earth Day Tokyo!
On the last day of Earth Day (22nd of April) and the 2nd day of Music Day (4th of May) all the major sites and participating concert halls are going to introduce “Green Power”.
More details on Music Day are available at: http://www.musicdayjapan.jp/