• April 22, 2019 – Earth Day 2019

  • Happy Earth Day 2019!

    This year’s annual Earth Day Doodle takes us around the planet we call home to discover some of the awe-inspiring organisms which inhabit it. Specifically, the interactive slideshow Doodle explores six organisms across elevations—along with their earthly superlative!

    Get a sneak peek of our featured creatures below:

    Wandering Albatross

    The widest wingspan of any living bird

     

    Coastal Redwood

    The tallest tree in the world

     

    Paedophryne Amauensis

    Holds the world record for smallest frog, and smallest vertebrate

     

    Amazon Water Lily

    Among the world’s largest aquatic plants

     

    Coelacanth

    At 407-million-years old, it’s one of the world’s oldest living species

     

    Deep Cave Springtail

    Among the deepest-dwelling terrestrial creatures

     

     

    Today’s Doodle was created by Doodler Kevin Laughlin. Below, he shares some thoughts on Earth Day and the inspiration for his Doodle:

    Q: What does Earth Day mean to you personally?

    A: It’s very easy for us humans to think of ourselves as something apart or separate from nature. If you pick just one day a year to remember that we’re all of this earth as much as a worm, mountain, or tree, Earth Day can be that day.

    Q: How did you choose which species to feature?

    A: This was the most difficult part of the process! The last thing I wanted to do was feature animals based on their cuteness or how they might appeal in some way to my mammalian sensibilities. We tried to focus on having a good range of organisms from around the globe that all had an extra special unique quality or earthly superlative. (Tallest, smallest, oldest, etc.)

    Q: Did you learn any cool random facts while working on this Doodle?

    A: Apparently scientists were able to coax deep cave springtails with a bit of cheese. So we’re not so different from these little hexapods, after all!

    Q: What do you hope people will take away from this interactive Doodle?

    A: If I can inspire the smallest bit of curiosity or wonder in someone, that would make me very happy. How often does one take a moment to contemplate a tiny critter that lives in the bowels of a cave in Georgia? All life is incredible and worth celebrating.

     

     

    EARTH DAY 2019 DOODLE TEAM

    Lead Artist | Kevin Laughlin

    Designer | Diana Tran

    Engineering | Daniel Dovali Delgado, Jordan Thompson

    Producer | Colin Duffy

    Marketing & Partnerships Lead | Perla Campos

    Art Support | Nate Swinehart

    Doodle Team Leads | Jessica Yu, Brian Kaas

     

    Special thanks to:

    All the creative writers from the Google Assistant Personality Team

    Video: Google

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