Peponi House in Nairobi was among thousands of organisations and individuals taking part in this year’s Call to Earth Day, joining a global movement to protect and restore the natural world. The fifth anniversary of CNN’s initiative drew more participants than ever, underlining a rising commitment to environmental action.
On 6 November, CNN marked the day with a range of multiplatform programming, engaging over 650,000 people across more than 100 countries. The 2025 theme, Guard Your Green Space, highlighted local and global efforts to conserve natural habitats and foster biodiversity.
At Peponi House, CNN’s Victoria Rubadiri reported from the frontlines of environmental education. She met students learning about how trees support biodiversity and took part in practical projects, including building bug hotels and creating mouse motorways; hands-on activities that bring conservation lessons to life.
“The students have a forest school, literally, the forest becomes the classroom. The students learn about the importance of trees to the environment, keeping it cool and protecting the soil”, noted Rubadiri while reporting from Peponi House.
Schools and organisations held events that ranged from clean-ups and tree plantings to environmental art projects and awareness campaigns. These local initiatives formed part of a global effort that saw record numbers of participants registering to make a tangible difference in their communities.
CNN’s coverage extended beyond schools. Programming included a documentary featuring Chief Climate Correspondent Bill Weir in conversation with leading oceanographer and Rolex Testimonee Sylvia Earle. CNN Creators: The Intro dedicated a special episode to Call to Earth Day, while the student-focused news programme CNN10 ran a themed week in the lead-up to the event. CNN.com featured bespoke digital content, including an interactive story exploring the ecological impact of invasive fire ants.
Correspondents reported from schools and communities across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas, with coverage broadcast across CNN International, CNN en Español, CNN Arabic, and social media platforms, showcasing how local initiatives contribute to global environmental solutions.
Call to Earth Day forms part of CNN’s broader Call to Earth initiative, launched in 2019 in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative. The programme highlights changemakers, visionaries, and projects that safeguard the planet for future generations. Over the past six years, it has celebrated award-winning initiatives that have made a measurable environmental impact worldwide. See highlights from Call to Earth Day 2025 here.
