National Geographic gears up for Earth Day 2020

ational Geographic will mark 50 years of Earth Day, which was first celebrated on April 22, 1970. Image: courtesy of National Geographic via AFP Relaxnews

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the international television network has pulled out all the stops to offer a comprehensive range of politically committed documentaries on the environment, which notably includes “Before the Flood” presented by Leonardo DiCaprio.

On Wednesday, April 22, National Geographic will be taking an expansive look at the status of the planet. For the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the TV network has planned a 24-hour marathon of non-stop natural history programming wholly focused on the environment.

The schedule will include such documentaries as “Before the Flood”, a 2016 film produced and presented by Leonardo DiCaprio. In the 96-minute feature, the American actor and fervent environmental activist talks with Barack Obama, Elon Musk and even Pope Francis about the means available to mankind to take action before it is too late.

Another eagerly awaited documentary is “Jane Goodall: The Hope” which will simultaneously air on National Geographic and National Geographic WILD. The two-hour show offers an immersive exploration of the world of Dame Jane Goodall, a primatologist and activist who has tirelessly promoted the cause of environmental conservation around the world for several decades.

“The need to protect our planet has never been more urgent, and we’re using Earth Day’s 50th as an opportunity to inspire viewers through the wonders of our planet and its incredible species for viewers around the world,” explains Courteney Monroe, president of National Geographic Global Television Networks in a statement.

“With the Earth Day takeover across all of our networks and platforms, we are able to reach the largest audience possible to celebrate this momentous day and ensure that viewers fall in love with our planet and act to protect it,” Monroe said.

The extensive programming schedule will be particularly welcome in the current period of lockdown, when audiences are more eager than ever to explore the natural world through the medium of television. JB

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