On April 22, 1970, Earth Day was celebrated for the first time, inspired by “teach-ins” on the environment at the University of Michigan under the theme “Give Earth a Chance.” Fifty-four years later, it’s Earth Day once more—and a Dallas-based nonprofit is marking it with a major conference that will last all week.

EarthX—an international environmental nonprofit dedicated to educating inspiring action for a sustainable future—began its Earthx2024 “Conference of Conferences” Monday at the Hilton Anatole, 2201 N. Stemmons Fwy, in Dallas. 

The ninth annual event will bring together thousands of people and organizations from around the world to collaborate on actionable solutions for energy, oceans, climate, business, policy, and more.

EarthX Founder Trammel Crow Jr., left, at EarthX’s “Half Earth Day” event in October. [Photo: Rick Baraff]

“We aren’t just hosting a conference,” EarthX CEO Rajan Singh said in a statement. “We’re fostering a global dialogue on sustainability.”

“Our mission is to unite thought leaders, visionaries, and change-makers to inspire actionable solutions for a more sustainable future,” he added. “Together, we can create a profound impact that resonates across borders, making our planet a better place for generations to come.”

Conference will feature more than 80 speakers

The five-day conference will feature more than 80 speakers and sessions exploring a wide range of sustainability topics. The speaker list includes CNN host Van Jones, entrepreneur and conservative philanthropist Jay Faison, NewsMax CEO Christopher Ruddy, Zimbabwean conservationist Ivan Carter, American Conservation Coalition Founder Benji Backer, Colossal Biosciences Chief Animal Officer Matt James, author Robert Kaplan, and many more.

This year, each day will highlight a unique theme, including “The Future of Energy,” “Circular Economy,” “Money, Power, and Politics,” “Oceans and Philanthropy,” and “Wildlife and Ocean Conservation.”

The overarching goal will be to catalyze “unprecedented collaboration” through debates, roundtables, summits, and open dialogue among leaders across the ideological spectrum, the organization said.

The conference began Monday with “North Texas Day,” an event free to all residents of North Texas “who are interested in learning what is being done to increase sustainability improvements in the area.” Topics included sessions on the Trinity River watershed, “Parks, Trails, and Open Spaces,” and affordable and sustainable housing, and more.

Also, Jeffrey Allen “Skunk” Baxter, former lead guitarist for mega-hit bands including The Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, and Spirit, was slated to be honored with the AFS Hedy Lamarr Unsung Heroes in Science & Technology Award, an honor recognizing outstanding contributions to science and technology.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to present keynote address Wednesday

Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. discusses immigration issues after the premiere of “Midnight at the Border” in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Aug. 3, 2023. [Image: Ringo Chiu / Shutterstock.com]

Programming this week includes sessions on the “Built Environment” Monday through Wednesday, examining topics like clean energy, the circular economy, and money, media, and democracy. On Tuesday and Wednesday, there will also be a Texas-Mexico Business Forum.

On Wednesday at 6 p.m., third-party presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will present a keynote address that “will reflect on his 40 years as an environmental attorney, the hundreds of lawsuits he filed fighting corrupt corporations and government agencies, and how free market capitalism can help solve our biggest environmental challenges.”

Wednesday through Friday, the focus shifts to the “Natural Environment,” including an Island Resilience Summit featuring welcoming remarks by EarthX Founder Trammel S. Crow and Island Resilience Partnership President Matt Tranchin. Sessions will include looks at “Vanishing Coral Reefs” The Movement Needed for Recovery, Resilience and Restoration” and the “Evolution of Multilateralism in Supporting Frontline Nations.” There will also be deep dives into the oceans, the Blue Economy, and philanthropy’s impact on the environment.

E-Capital Summit

Tuesday through Thursday, Earthx2024 will feature an invitation-only E-Capital Summit, an investment and innovation conference event that will convene leading investors, family offices, innovators, dealmakers, industry, other ecosystem leaders.

No EarthX Expo this year due to Fair Park renovations

Normally, the EarthX Congress of Conferences coincides with EarthX Expo, “the world’s largest green gathering,” featuring live music, art and food to offer a fun and engaging atmosphere for thought and experiential learning. But this year, EarthX Expo will not be held because of ongoing renovations at Dallas’ Fair Park.

The next EarthX Expo event will be held in April 2025. 

Founded in 2010 by Trammel S. Crow as Earth Day Dallas for the local community, the nonprofit organization EarthX has evolved to offer and support global sustainability initiatives. It also spearheads EarthxTV, a global TV network dedicated to promoting the environment and sustainability. Broadcasting 24/7 from Oak Lawn in Dallas, the network is channeling change by reaching over 60 million homes in more than 70 countries—and has new a”100% environmental news” program

For more information about the Earthx2024 conference—including the full event schedule and registration for everything from free public events to $1,500 full-week passes—you can go here.

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