Call to Earth Day: Taking action to protect the planet

Updated 6:01 p.m. ET, November 10, 2021
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3:27 p.m. ET, November 10, 2021

"The ocean is our largest carbon sink," says environmentalist Philippe Cousteau

Environmental activist Philippe Cousteau, grandson of famed oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, has set a goal to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 through his conservation organization, EarthEcho.

Cousteau, along with EarthEcho's Youth Leadership Council Member, Armon Alex, told CNN’s Hala Gorani how the non-profit is empowering the next generation to restore the ocean.

3:14 p.m. ET, November 10, 2021

Students perform "The Story of a Plastic Water Bottle"

In Zimbabwe, these students wrote and performed a short show called "The Story of a Plastic Water Bottle." They hope the story will have a happy ending if people can continue to reduce, reuse and recycle together.

2:57 p.m. ET, November 10, 2021

This is what Call to Earth Day looks like around the world

All across the globe, students, organizations and individuals have been making the first-ever Call to Earth Day a huge success. Here are some more highlights from the day so far!

2:26 p.m. ET, November 10, 2021

Never too young to save the planet

CNN's Becky Anderson spoke to students from Brighton College Dubai about how they are making eco-friendly choices in the classroom.

2:09 p.m. ET, November 10, 2021

Growing grapes without irrigation is hard -- but this South African winemaker is doing it anyway

In Paarl, South Africa, organic winemaker Tyrrel Myburgh farms grapes in the Western Cape without modern, artificial irrigation. In drought-prone South Africa, where water can be scarce, using only rainwater to water drought-resistant grapevines is a radical step, as is allowing "a bit of a jungle" to grow among the vines, which are pruned and fertilized by free-roaming sheep.

CNN's David McKenzie visited the Joostenberg Winery, which has been producing wine for hundreds of years in the Western Cape, to see how it's going back to basics to meet the climate challenges of the future.

1:54 p.m. ET, November 10, 2021

This conservationist wants to protect a rare bird in Rwanda

In Rwanda, gray crowned cranes were almost wiped out a decade ago. Captured as chicks and kept as status symbol pets in the gardens of hotels and private homes, by 2012, only around 300 remained in the wild.

But the species has undergone a remarkable recovery in the country thanks to local vet and conservationist Olivier Nsengimana. "I told myself someone has got to do something about it," he says. "Someone has got to make a change."

For Call to Earth Day, Rolex Awards Laureate Nsengimana tells us he wants to end the illegal trade in the rare bird.

Call to Earth is a CNN initiative in partnership with Rolex.

1:35 p.m. ET, November 10, 2021

Planting fruit trees for a cleaner, tastier Earth

The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation is a global non-profit dedicated to planting trees for a "greener, cleaner, and healthier planet."

Their mission is to plant 18 billion fruit trees across the world to help spread vital edible eco-diversity. As part of Call to Earth Day, the group is planting trees across four continents.

1:16 p.m. ET, November 10, 2021

Hands up: Students in Seychelles pledge to reduce their carbon footprint

Students at the University of Seychelles raise their hands and recite a pledge to protect the planet, including a promise to use more green energy.