Earth Day, held on April 22nd every year, is the world’s largest environmental movement. Each year, over 1 billion people participate in the initiative across 190 countries. Earth Day is about being more conscious of our climate, the environment and making sure we protect our planet for generations to come.
Here’s how you can get involved this year.
LISTEN AND LEARN
The first Earth Day took place in 1970 and started an environmental revolution. Now, the initiative is igniting an education revolution to save the planet. The easiest way for you to get involved is to boost your literacy around climate change, sustainability and environmental preservation. According to the Earth Day campaign, climate and environmental literacy helps to “create jobs, build a green consumer market and allow citizens to engage with their governments in a meaningful way to address the climate crisis”. Not only can you increase your own knowledge, but you can also help to promote climate literacy initiatives in your community and on social media. Head to earthday.org for news, research, toolkits, fact sheets and to learn more about how you can make a difference.
GLOBAL CLEANUP
If you want to help create a waste-free world, get involved in The Great Global Cleanup, Earth Day’s worldwide campaign to remove waste and plastic from the outdoors and improve habitats, and prevent harm to wildlife and humans. To take part, you can host your own local cleanup on World Cleanup Day, which is celebrated on the third Saturday in September every year and has become the biggest waste collection day in human history. Head to earthday. org for more information about local and international cleanups events and helpful resources.
SUSTAINABLE FASHION
Did you know the fashion industry is responsible for over 8% of total greenhouse gas emissions? These days, fast fashion and cheap manufacturing occurs at the detriment of the environment. If we want to contribute to an ecologically and socially responsible clothing supply chain, then we need to get more life out of our possessions. Before you go and buy something new, consider second-hand or vintage clothes, repair clothes where possible, and always donate old clothes to charity to keep the cycle going.
PLANT MORE TREES
Earth Day also includes The Canopy Project, an initiative that aims to improve the environment by planting more trees across the globe. More trees help with the absorption of greenhouse gasses, enhance biodiversity and soil nutrition, protect waterways, and provide buffers from natural disasters. Since 2010, The Canopy Project has planted tens of millions of trees and works to help reforest areas in dire need of rehabilitation, including some of the world’s communities most at risk of climate change and environmental degradation. The project also helps communities to replant trees after environmental disasters. The best way to get involved is to donate – as little as $1 can help fund future tree planting – or take part in tree-planting days or send a gift of trees to a friend or loved one.
BE PART OF THE CHANGE
Becoming a member of the Earth Day initiative is one of the most direct and meaningful ways you can support the environment. Your annual membership donation allows the campaign to advocate for individual, government and corporate action on climate change, sustainable food systems, sustainable fashion, as well as ending plastic pollution. Make the pledge today at earthday.org!
