Pittsburgh, PA—Dr. Eric Dorfman, Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Director, has been appointed to Earth Day Network’s Global Advisory Committee for the 50thanniversary of Earth Day in 2020. Dorfman joins an esteemed panel of 36 international environmental movement leaders that includes former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of Walt Disney Studios Alan Horn, and Apple Vice President Lisa Jackson.
Under Dorfman’s leadership, Carnegie Museum of Natural History embraced the Anthropocene as one of its major themes. The Anthropocene is the concept that human activity has caused profound and pervasive impact on the planet, such that its effects will be present in the fossil record millions of years from now.
“Dr. Dorfman is a perfect representative of Pittsburgh’s longtime leadership on environmental issues, from the years of groundbreaking research the Carnegie Museum of Natural History has performed to the ongoing work city government does on the world stage to preserve the planet we share. Congratulations to Eric on this important appointment,” said Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Dorfman’s creativity, expertise, and collaborative spirit to the Global Advisory Committee for Earth Day 2020,” said Kathleen Rogers, President of Earth Day Network. “Eric recognizes that at the heart of building a movement, we must first inform and inspire to effectively activate millions in the protection of our precious planet.”
The first Earth Day in 1970 is generally credited with launching the modern environmental movement. It led to passage of landmark environmental laws, including the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts, as well as the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. Today, Earth Day is the largest civic observance in the world, with more than a billion participants each year.
“I am honored to join such a distinguished group of leaders and thinkers,” said Eric Dorfman. “Earth Day 2020 presents natural history museums with a critical opportunity. We must do more than invite our visitors to marvel at the natural world, we must also empower them to protect it.”
“This prestigious appointment reflects Eric’s strong leadership on environmental issues and the importance of Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s commitment to Anthropocene programming,” said Kevin Hiles, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh Interim President and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “We’re proud to be a part of this vital work.”
April 22, 2020 will mark Earth Day’s 50thAnniversary. Earth Day Network’s goal is to coordinate more than 50,000 organizations in 190 countries to reignite the environmental movement. More information is available at www.earthday.org/2020.
