GIVING BACK THIS EARTH DAY AND HOW TO TAKE ACTION ACROSS FACEBOOK PLATFORMS 

Edward Palmieri

Director, Global Sustainability

This Earth Day, Facebook is empowering people to get informed and take action on climate change. To better understand people’s perspectives towards climate change, Facebook ran a survey in over 30 countries and territories, in partnership with the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. In each of the countries where data was collected, it was discovered that more than three-quarters of people believe that climate change is happening, but fewer understand it is caused mostly by human activities. More than 6 in 10 respondents in all countries say they want more information about climate change.

Earth Day marks the anniversary of the start of the environmental movement that began in 1970. Today, we need to address global challenges like the climate crisis. On April 15, Facebook’s Edward Palmieri will talk more about how they are making it easier to take action this Earth Day, discuss some more survey results, and will talk more about the Earth Day related content making its way to Facebook this week. Eric will also announce today that as of 2020, Facebook’s operations are now supported by 100% renewable energy and have reached net zero emissions. In just the last three years, Facebook has reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by 94%, exceeding the 75% reduction goal.

WAYS TO TAKE ACTION:

• Sign-up to Volunteer:  Facebook is launching volunteer sign-ups to make it easier for organizations to find volunteers. People will also be able to use Community Help to find nearby opportunities like planting trees in a park or picking up trash off a beach.
• Raise funds for a cause you care about: Create a fundraiser for your favorite environmental organization and, as always, 100% of donations raised on our platform will go directly to the nonprofit.
• Shop eco-friendly: From April 17-25, environmental organizations are launching Shops just in time for Earth Day so people can buy eco-friendly products to support nonprofits. And you can always buy and sell pre-loved items on Facebook Marketplace!
• Visit National Parks virtually: Messenger and Portal are working with National Geographic on new 360 backgrounds in honor of National Parks Week and Earth Day. If you can’t visit Acadia, Canyonlands, Death Valley or Rocky Mountain National Park this year, you can still experience the beauty and wonder of each by taking a virtual trip while you’re in a Room or on video calls in the Messenger app and on Portal.
• Get inspired by a group: In the US, more than 5 million people belong to at least one of the 18,000 Facebook Groups dedicated to the discovery, protection and appreciation of the earth and our environment. Whether it’s joining a group to learn more about our changing climate, or creating an event for a local clean-up effort, people can do more together to make a difference.

MORE ABOUT EDWARD PALMIERI:

Edward leads Facebook’s Sustainability team, developing and executing Facebook’s approach to efficient and sustainable business operations. The team also leads efforts to support global communities and make a positive impact on the world by minimizing Facebook’s energy, emissions and water impact, protecting workers and the environment in its supply chain, and partnering with others to develop and share solutions for a more sustainable world. Edward holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a minor in Peace and Conflict Studies from the College of the Holy Cross and a J.D. from Catholic University. Edward also sits on the board of SMYAL, an organization dedicated to supporting and empowering lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth in the Washington, DC, metropolitan region.

Produced for: Facebook