Earth Day at ASU 2024: The State of Global Futures Address

Presented by Peter Schlosser, vice president and vice provost of Global Futures at Arizona State University, this presentation will provide insights on the activities and initiatives soon to be and currently underway across the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory.
Earth Day was first recognized on April 22, 1970 after the nation and the world witnessed more than 4.2 million gallons of oil spill off of the coast of Santa Barbara, California. The spill spoiled a 35-mile stretch of coastline, killing more than 3,800 birds and causing more than $175 million (adjusted) in damages. The incident helped to establish the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Clean Water Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.
The Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory now serves as the hub of activities at Arizona State University that honors Earth Day each April 22. Since 2021, beginning with the dedication of the Walton Center for Planetary Health, ASU and the Global Futures Laboratory have welcomed celebrated speakers including Vice President Al Gore, Dr. Jane Goodall, Peter Seligmann, Ukrainian activist Zoya Lytvyn, conservation author Enric Sala, climate action entrepreneur Leah Lizarondo and peace and leadership expert Maya Soetoro-Ng.