Usher, No Doubt, Mary J. Blige, Fall Out Boy, Common, Train, My Morning Jacket and others rallied an estimated 250,000 people on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on April 18 in a day-long Earth Day concert organized by the Global Poverty Project and Earth Day Network, hosted by will.i.am and Soledad O’Brien.
Pure Earth was out in force at the #GlobalCitizenEarthDay event raising awareness to #EndPollution in support of the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP) and the World Bank on the launch of the Pollution Management and Environmental Health (PMEH) Fund.
As reported, many of the rockers pointed out the key point of the gathering – to raise awareness and educate about the issues.
“I want you to go and investigate for yourself so that you can really understand what’s going on.” — Usher
“What I hope happens post the concert is that people go out and talk about some of the issues that we were spelling out today,” he said. “Talk about solutions, go online, dig deep and hold our leaders accountable for some of the things that they’re pledging.” — will.i.am
“It’s about all of us being aware but getting our hands dirty because it’s not going to be an easy thing…” — Patrick Monahan, Train.
“I think we’re here for the reality that it’s hopeful. We can actually do something. We can actually effect change.” ––Patrick Stump, Fall Out Boy
What are the issues?
Event organizers Global Citizen recently listed 7 threats facing our planet. Among the top three is pollution.
Our research shows that pollution is the largest cause of death in the world, especially among the poisoned poor. Women and children are most vulnerable.
One in seven deaths in the world are polluted-related. Yet, it is one of the most underreported and underfunded global issues.
- Pollution: The Silent Killer of Millions in Poor Countries (Infographics)
- Pollution: Stop a Silent Killer (30-second VIDEO)
Pure Earth is working to raise awareness of pollution’s true toll.
Simply follow us on Twitter @PureEarthNow or on our Facebook page. Retweet and repost to share our messages about toxic pollution, read the stories about the #poisonedpoor and learn facts that will help #endpollution.
Ridding communities around the world of toxic pollution costs less than the health problems it causes. Ridding communities around the world of toxic pollution helps promote healthy ecosystems that reduce the effects of climate change.
Congrats @GlblCtzn for a great event today to help #EndPoverty. We’re all in it together. #GlobalCitizen pic.twitter.com/klDQeNPDdL
— ONE (@ONECampaign) April 18, 2015