CNN’s third annual Call to Earth Day, on November 28, 2023, will see the news organisation partner with schools, individuals, and organisations across the world, for a day of action to raise awareness of environmental issues and to engage with conservation education.
This year’s theme is ‘Our Shared Home’ and will focus on the “crucial” connection between cities and wilderness.
It will share stories that show how people living in urban areas can have a huge impact on both wild environments around the world and the hidden wilderness within our cities.
CNN shared that over 130,000 people participated in last year’s Call to Earth Day, with events in more than 80 countries worldwide.
Call to Earth Day is part of Call to Earth, a major network initiative launched by CNN back in 2019, in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative. It aims to highlight those committed to safeguarding the planet for future generations.
Over the last four years, this programming has told stories of change-makers, visionaries, and ground-breaking projects making a difference to the world around them.
Call to Earth Day will see special coverage across CNN International and CNN en Español TV networks, and digital and social media platforms.
This will also be complemented by a series of live events, with participants encouraged to share their actions, ideas, and inspirational thoughts on social media, using the hashtag #CalltoEarth.
Call to Earth Day content will also air for the first time on CNN Arabic and stream on CNN Max in the US.
In addition, CNN has worked with Climate Change Education Consultant Kottie Christie-Blick to develop lesson plans for children ages 5 to 17 as a resource for schools and educational bodies participating in Call to Earth Day.
CNN is also partnering with the global schools group, Cognita, on a new student-led video project, which will team up CNN content creators with schools to coach them on producing an impactful environmental report.
Nine organisations from the region have signed up to take part in Call to Earth Day so far, one being Dubai-based Beekeepers Foundation.
The Foundation is planning an Awareness Day to educate and inspire individuals about sustainable beekeeping and its vital role in supporting the Earth’s ecosystem.
Coverage plans for the day will see CNN examine environmental solutions and explore projects from locations around the world.
Stories, live programming and interviews gathered from across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North and South America, will run in every hour of CNN International programming.
CNN en Español will feature stories and live reporters throughout the day from across the Latin America region.
A special half hour documentary ‘Our Shared Home’ will run on November 28th highlighting the conflict between people and the planet’s dwindling wildlife over food, resources, and space for living. Conservation biologist and Rolex Laureate Dr. Krithi Karanth will showcase how her work is striking a balance between leopard, tiger and elephant conservation and India’s position as the most populous country in the world. In Singapore, primatologist Dr. Andie Ang emphasises how exponential human population growth exerts pressure on natural resources through her work with critically endangered Raffles’ banded langurs.
The programme also explores how the energy crisis and the need to build more renewable energy resources are being balanced with Tasmanian devil protection initiatives in Australia.
CNN’s Connect the World with Becky Anderson will broadcast a 30-minute special from the Jubail Mangrove Park in Abu Dhabi, showcasing the important connection between the natural world and cities. Becky Anderson will be joined by guests and schoolchildren from across the UAE.
This on-air content will be complemented by bespoke digital content across CNN.com, with a month of climate content in the build-up to Call to Earth Day.