To celebrate Earth Day 2021, the National Geographic have announced a special virtual event, Earth Day Eve streaming on YouTube on Wednesday, April 21, at 8.30pm EDT (1.30am Irish time).

Hosted by travel expert Jessica Nabongo, Earth Day Eve 2021 will feature performances from Angélique Kidjo, Aurora, José González, Maggie Rogers, Rostam, Valerie June, Willie Nelson, Yo-Yo Ma and Ziggy Marley – as well as a world premiere of new music video from My Morning Jacket.

The event will also feature special appearances from primatologist Dr Jane Goodall, photojournalist Brian Skerry, environmental educator Lillygol Sedaghat, physiological ecologist Dr Lucy Hawkes, and large carnivore ecologist Dr Rae Wynn-Grant.

"For over 133 years, National Geographic has strived to inspire people to care more deeply for the planet," National Geographic Chairman Gary Knell commented in a statement. "This Earth Day, we hope to provide that inspiration with a one-of-a-kind celebration that invites audiences everywhere to unite around the power of music.

"Our Earth Day Eve event – virtual and accessible to everyone – will showcase environmentally passionate artists from around the world together with some of National Geographic's most extraordinary Explorers. From AURORA's forest performance in Bergen, Norway, to Jane Goodall's greeting from her home in England, the celebration will give us even more of a reason to fall in love with the place we all call home - and empower us to act to protect it."