Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on 22 April to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, it now includes events coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network in more than 193 countries. Unlike any previous celebration, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day was held entirely online. Despite challenges associated with the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, on every continent, in dozens of languages, humanity celebrated our shared home with enthusiasm.

As part of the global environmental community, ATSEA-2 was involved in the Earth Day celebration, in collaboration with Ikatan Sarjana Kelautan Indonesia (Indonesia Maritime Scholar Association) and Marine Science Department of the IPB University. ATSEA-2 participated in two webinars related to Earth Day on 22 April 2020, and Marine Spatial Planning to improve Integrated Coastal Management on 2 May 2020. The first webinar was attended by 60 online participants while the latter by 316 people. 

ATSEA-2, represented by Regional Project Manager, Dr. Handoko Adi Susanto, MSc., discussed the contribution of ATSEA-2 project to the protection of the planet and how lessons learned of Marine Spatial Planning development could improve the integrated management of coastal and marine resources.  As background, Dr. Handoko shared about ATSEA-2’s project goals and outputs to strengthen regional collaboration to address transboundary environmental issues and for better management of the resources in Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region.  

ATSEA-2 talks appeared in the Maritime News online magazine on 27 April 2020.