In April 2010, this rally marking the 40th anniversary of the Earth Day opened with prayers from Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh blessings. The Climate Rally -- Earth Day Network's flagship event on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. drew more than 150,000 activists to demand that the U.S. Congress pass comprehensive climate legislation in 2010. The nine hour event featured more than 70 high profile speakers, including leadership from the faith, labor, civil rights, and environmental communities, the private sector, leading climate scientists, celebrities, Cabinet Secretaries, international political leaders and local government officials.
Earth Day Network partnered with over 100 U.S. National organizations that actively participated in the Earth Day 2010 campaign and the Billion Acts of Green™ program through service and advocacy activities. Schools, businesses, churches and environmental groups posted more than 6,000 Earth Day events to EarthDay.org. Through its religious partnerships, Earth Day Network reached over 25,000 congregations to encourage participation in Earth Day Sunday and give environmentally conscious Earth Day sermons.
An all-star lineup of musical talent and environmental heavyweights convened on the National Mall Sunday afternoon to mark the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.
Musical acts included Sting, John Legend, Joss Stone, The Roots, Bob Weir, Jimmy Cliff, and more. Interspersed among the bands were VIP speakers, among them Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson, Reps. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Rev. Jesse Jackson, "Avatar" director James Cameron, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Trudie Styler, Philippe Cousteau, and Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Dhani Jones.
Backstage, artists blended seamlessly with policymakers, scholars, and activists in a way that felt uniquely Washingtonian. Sting and Styler embraced a bevy of old friends upon arrival, then sat in the wings watching other performers for most of the day. Just offstage, Cameron and Markey chatted for nearly an hour. A few feet away from them, Jackson and Reuben cracked each other up.