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With hundreds of Mother Earth Project events taking place across the globe, this page features a curated selection of key moments that highlight the reach, creativity, and impact of our movement.
From international climate strikes to community-led art initiatives, each spotlighted event reflects the power of collective action for our planet.
MEP cofounder Barton Rubenstein meets VP Al Gore ahead of premier of movie Inconvenient Truth
2015
MEP cofounder Barton Rubenstein is inspired by conversations with Vice President Al Gore and begins his focus on climate activism. The Mother Earth Project NGO is subsequently launched by the Rubenstein family.
First Public Lecture & MEP Inflatable Booth Debut
November, 2016
American University, Washington, DC – First public lecture about the Mother Earth Project and the MEP Inflatable Booth debut. The Booth is then taken to dozens of schools, universities, and sites worldwide, and is translated into numerous languages.
First Mother Earth Sculpture Installation
January, 2017
First Mother Earth Sculpture installed and dedicated in Georgetown along the Potomac River, Washington, DC, with 1000 in attendance.
Climate March & Parachutes for the Planet™ Launch
April, 2017
Climate March Worldwide – Kallan Benson with the first Parachutes for the Planet™ piece: a 24-foot butterfly parachute signed by 1,600 students, Washington, DC, with 100,000 in attendance, millions worldwide.
Mother Earth Sculpture in Guilin, China
September, 2017
Guilin, China – A Mother Earth Sculpture was installed at Boya Academy, symbolizing the school’s commitment to environmental education and global sustainability.
Sculpture Installation in Jerusalem
February, 2018
Jerusalem, Israel: A Mother Earth Sculpture was installed in Bloomfield Gardens next to the King David Hotel, marking the Mother Earth Project’s presence in the Middle East. This and other Mother Earth sculptures continue to be the site for numerous sustainability events worldwide.
Zero Hour Youth Climate March
July 19–21, 2018
Washington, DC & Sister Cities: Zero Hour Youth Climate March on the National Mall with 80 Parachutes for the Planet; simultaneous exhibitions held in Ann Arbor, Indianapolis, and Canberra. Indigenous speakers in DC speak out against the Dakota pipeline.
Parachutes head to US Congress
August, 2018
Young Climate Activists converge on Congress to demand that Senators not accept campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies.
Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco, CA, with 100 Parachutes
September 20, 2018
San Francisco, California: Over 100 parachutes were displayed at the United Nation's pre-COP Global Climate Action Summit with the Fridays For Future movement, 350.org, Al Gore's Climate Reality Project, and dozens of other environmental action NGOs, with 100,000 in attendance.
World Inaugural Parachute Exhibition
October 13, 2018
Washington, DC: World Inaugural Exhibition of Parachutes for the Planet™ at Georgetown Waterfront Park, showcasing hundreds of parachutes created by communities from around the world.
Parachutes at Supreme Court and Freedom Plaza
October 29, 2018
Washington, DC: Parachutes displayed at the US Supreme Court and Freedom Plaza during major climate legislation discussions including the Juliana v. USA case.
Parachutes at Safe Cities Summit in Zimbabwe
December 28–29, 2018
Mutare, Zimbabwe: The Mother Earth Project featured parachutes at the Safe Cities Summit, engaging mining and industrial stakeholders in climate dialogue. The Parachutes for the Planet project was in the midst of rapid expansion to over 80 countries with 4000 four-meter diameter parachutes shipped globally.
MEP Partners with Girl Scouts of America
2019
MEP ships 500 parachutes to Girl Scouts of America troops nationwide and launches Call To Action Parachute Event, with each participant adding their handprint and next sustainable action. This event has spread to communities worldwide.
Parachutes at World Youth Day with the Pope
January 22–27, 2019
Panama City, Panama: World Youth Day, 41 parachutes created by local parishes were displayed at the Pope's final mass. One of the parachutes was taken back to the Vatican and the Pope declared the importance of the climate emergency to his one billion followers.
MEP Partners with CCL to Demand Better Climate Laws in Canada
February, 2019
Citizens Climate Lobby takes multiple parachutes to the Canadian Parliament to demand Carbon Pricing legislation, which eventually passes.
Global Student Climate Strike with Parachutes at US Capitol
March 15, 2019
Washington, DC: 80 parachutes and a 100' diameter NO ACTION NO FUTURE parachute were displayed at the US Capitol during one of many international global student climate strikes, part of FridaysForFuture.
World Renewable Energy Day
June 22, 2019
Bonn, Germany: Parachutes for the Planet were showcased alongside performances and speakers at the UN Campus for World Renewable Energy Day during the UN Climate Conference.
World Environment Day – Youth Advocacy Broadcast
June 5, 2020
Canada: CitizenKid’s 'Earth Comes First' featuring MEP aired internationally on YTV's The Zone during World Environment Day, raising awareness through youth voices and storytelling.
Mother Earth Sculpture Dedication
Fall 2020
Bonn, Germany: Mother Earth Sculpture installed along the Rhine River across from the UNFCCC. Dedication with parachutes, music, and speeches including Dr. Martin Frick of the UN FAO and MEP Germany Director Sandra Prüfer.
Sculpture Dedication in Jaipur, India
September, 2020
A Mother Earth Sculpture was installed and dedicated at the central Jawahar Circle, next to the Patrika Gate, emphasizing the environmental values in India, with MEP Director of India Laxmi Saxena in attendance. The goal was to have a sculpture in six continents, which came to fruition in 2025 with the installation of a Mother Earth sculpture in New Zealand.
West Africa School Programs
October 2020
Parachutes painted and exhibited across Cameroon, Mali, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and over 20 African countries.
Parachute Climate Events for UN Nonviolence Day
October 2, 2020
Multiple cities across USA: A day of parachute climate events across cities, parks and community landmarks nationwide, honoring UN International Day of Nonviolence and the Season of Creation.
Two Dozen Environmental Orgs partner to create parachutes in Tacoma, Washington
July, 2021
Numerous NGOs surround government buildings in the capitol of the State of Washington to demand better climate laws. These 17 parachutes, PEOPLE OVER PROFIT, are now exhibited at sites worldwide.
Virtual Earth Day Parade
April, 2021
Virtual event with parachute artwork and messages from 30+ countries, during the COVID pandemic. These dozens of international zoom calls over the years have been the backbone of MEP solidarity and collective planning and action.
MEP global ambassadors unite in Glasgow for COP26
November, 2021
MEP brings dozens of parachutes to climate strikes at COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, to demand that fossil fuels remain in the ground. Multiple MEP ambassadors spoke at the conference.
Mother Earth Mural Project Launches
2022
First Mother Earth Mural is created in Africa, with now 90 large-scale murals created in 19 countries.
UN Stockholm+50 Conference with PEOPLE OVER PROFIT Parachutes
June 1–3, 2022
Stockholm, Sweden: MEP featured its PEOPLE OVER PROFIT parachutes at the UN Stockholm+50 Conference, a major global environmental summit commemorating five decades of action.
Parents for Future
January 18, 2023
Klönschnack, Germany: Parents for Future – With 16 parachutes. This global non-profit that partners with MEP also supports FridayForFuture, but allows for the older generations to participate and organize during climate strikes.
President Biden signs largest Climate Bill in history
June 13, 2023
MEP cofounders head to the White House, where Biden thanks the young climate activists for their efforts in making the climate bill possible. This is one day where we felt like we "moved the needle!"
Creativity Unites. Action
Transforms.
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