Earth Day 2013: Amazing Videos of Planet Earth

Today is Earth Day, so here are some ideas to get out and celebrate in and around Cedar Falls this week. The scroll down to learn more about the history of Earth Day.

University of Northern Iowa Earth Week events:

Earth Day Yoga Monday, April 22, 3:00 and 3:30 PM

Following the UNI Earth Day Celebration, two FREE yoga afternoon sessions will be offered. All participants will receive a free water bottle following the event! Registration is now open-hurry this event has limited space! Click here to register.

Chew N' View: Clean Bin Project Film Screening Tuesday, April 23, 12:30 PM

The Clean Bin Project demonstrates how one Canadian couple successfully lived nearly waste-free for an entire year. All UNI students, faculty and staff are invited to attend a free screening of the film. All attendees will also be treated to lunch on us! Click here to view the event poster.

 Earth Week Campus Cleanup Tuesday, April 23, 4-6 PM

You're invited to help cleanup the UNI campus in honor of Earth Week. Dress to get wet and dirty and we'll supply the gloves and trash bags. All volunteers will be rewarded with pizza following the event. Click here to register for this year's cleanup event. 

Ride the Trails Bike Ride

Wednesday, April 24, 6 PM

Join us for a 10 mile leisurely bike on the Cedar Valley trail system in honor of Earth Week. Cyclists will meet at the 18th St. Mulligan's in Cedar Falls and ride together as a group. No riders will be left behind! Register here-all cyclists must wear a helmet to participate!

 Bean Bag Toss Tournament Thursday, April 25, 5 PM

Grab a partner and register for our first ever Bean Bag Toss Bracket Tournament! You and a partner will have the chance to play against other UNI students in a single-elimination style tournament where a special prize is up for grabs! Enjoy dinner on us and enjoy the outdoors. Register here to get started.

According to earthday.org, more than 1 billion people will participate in Earth Day 2013 events on April 22. The global event celebrates the beauty of our planet and calls on individuals, organizations, companies and governments to do their part to ensure the preservation of the planet.

Born in the protest era of Vietnam, the first Earth Day in 1970 brought 20 million Americans to rallies across the country in a show of support for the environment during a time when rampant pollution went mostly unchecked.

Earth Day went global in 1990 when an estimated 200 million joined the movement and helped ignite the recycling craze.

The 40th anniversary of Earth Day in 2010 focused on climate change and the dangers associated with destroying our environment. And with 2013 comes a renewed focus on sustainability and living green.

However you’re planning to mark Earth Day 2013, save a few moments to take in the beauty of the planet. We’ve assembled a few of our favorite videos in honor of Earth Day.

Have one you’d like to share? It’s easy to upload it to the gallery. Share your favorite images of the planet or even how to live more ‘green’. Just click, link, and post for all to see.

Original reporting by Derrick Williams.