Which foundation organizes equinox Earth Day at the United Nations?

The Earth Society Foundation organizes equinox Earth Day at the United Nations.

The foundation maintains the tradition of observing Earth Day at the March equinox, when the Japanese Peace Bell is rung at UN Headquarters in New York City. The ceremony emphasizes peace, justice and care for Earth rather than focusing only on environmental activism.

The observance traces back to peace and environmental advocate John McConnell, who promoted an equinox Earth Day and received support from UN Secretary-General U Thant. The Earth Society Foundation continued organizing the annual UN ceremony and helped preserve this version of Earth Day’s history.

This event is distinct from the more widely recognized April 22 Earth Day, which began with the 1970 U.S. environmental movement associated with Senator Gaylord Nelson and organizer Denis Hayes. Both observances are called Earth Day, but they have different dates, origins and organizing traditions. The foundation is not Greenpeace, the Sierra Club Foundation or WWF.