DES MOINES, Iowa — Across the globe, Earth Day is celebrated on April 22.
From cleanup events to rallies, there are lots of ways people are giving back to the planet. Climate activism is a social movement that calls on governments to take action to protect the climate.
In Iowa, one organization is practicing climate activism with a religious perspective in mind.
"Everybody's sacred scriptures are so rooted in love of the earth, the planet," said Deaconess Irene DeMaris, the Executive Director of Iowa Interfaith Power and Light.
The nonprofit is centered on mobilizing people of all faiths to fight for the planet.
"Religious voices add a lot to the dialogue in our state, every single world religion and spirituality has a stance on climate,” DeMaris added. “And it's pro-climate. It's pro-environment. It's taking action, it's stewardship."
Part of that action includes an event on Monday that IIPL is hosting in honor of Earth Day, called Earth Day Action: Demand Clean Energy.
"We always like to tell people that the best climate action is talking about climate action," DeMaris said. "Earth Day is so important. And it's very important on the actual day, but it's important every single day. Because of the impact that climate has on everyday Iowans and our communities."
The event will call on MidAmerican Energy to "close their coal plants and support a just energy transition by 2030."
The Earth Day Action: Demand Clean Energy event starts at 3:30 Monday at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral rain garden (805 High St in Des Moines) and is free to attend.