Earth Day was established following more than a century of increasing production, mass consumption, and pollution in the aftermath of the second industrial revolution. Americans were largely unaware of the harm this was doing to the environment until several key moments in the 1960s, including the publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, which revealed the monumental impact pesticides were having on the environment, and the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, which at the time was the largest ocean oil spill the U.S. had seen. These events, combined with the backdrop of anti-war sentiment in America, would be the impetus for then U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day founder, to develop a national day to increase public awareness of pollution’s detrimental effects and promote environmental protection on a larger, political stage. April 22, 1970, was chosen due to its convenience for young people/students, occurring between spring break and the end-of-year final exams.
This year will mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, a day that is now celebrated by over a billion people worldwide.
So how can we do our part to not only celebrate Earth Day on April 22 but also to make conscious decisions to reduce our carbon footprint year-round?
Just pick one thing to change.
It’s okay if it’s something small. Sometimes, when we try to overextend ourselves or make a laundry list of goals (i.e., become an expert gardener, composter and vegan, all within the span of a week), we are less likely to reach them. Anne-Marie Bonneau (@ZeroWasteChef) famously said, “We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.” Whether this is riding your bike to the grocery store instead of using the car when you can or using a water filter at home instead of buying plastic bottles, one little change can make a big difference. Some other “small” things you can do to help the environment:
- Turn off a light when you leave the room (and while you’re at it, make sure those lights are energy-efficient).
- Unplug your electronics overnight.
- Turn off your car engine if idling for longer than two minutes.
- Stop using disposable plastic straws (paper and silicone straws have become popular alternatives).
- Switch bills, newspapers, everything and anything you can to “paperless” options.
- Shop second-hand. Many clothes (even those donated) will eventually end up in a landfill, never to be reused or repurposed.
- Eat less meat. No, you don’t have to cut out meat completely, but eating less meat (especially beef and pork) is one of the single most effective ways to help the environment. Sujatha Bergen, Natural Resources Defense Council’s health campaigns director, noted, “If the average American cut just a quarter pound of beef a week from their diet, about one hamburger, it would be the equivalent of taking 10 million cars off the road for a year.”
Get the kids involved!
Especially now that schools may be out for an extended period of time, it’s nice to involve the whole family in fun activities (with hidden learning opportunities) that promote getting outdoors, caring for the environment, and minimizing waste. Some ideas include:
- Teach Reduce, Recycle, Reuse. Just as you would emphasize why handwashing or reading is important, talk to your kids about pollution, recycling/minimizing waste, and why this stuff matters. If our kids care, we might stand a chance at making our environmental impact a more positive one.
- Make a craft with recycled objects you can find at home. Here are some ideas: https://www.redtedart.com/easter-crafts-ideas-to-inspire-you/, https://www.parents.com/holiday/easter/decorating/easter-decorations-you-can-diy/.
- Start a garden! Whether it’s a small planter box in your backyard or a plot in the community garden, start with something small, simple (basil, tomatoes) – even the youngest child will feel a sense of responsibility for that plant, and it’s so much fun to care for it and watch it grow. Depending on the child’s age, turn the project into a learning experience, too (e.g. practicing fine motor skills for your three-year-old or an ecology/science lesson for your eight-year-old). Want to go big? Plant a tree!
- Look for a local Earth Day celebration to volunteer with – it’s a great way to get outdoors, get young ones excited about cleanup and recycling, and meet neighbors.
Do a zero-waste challenge.
Looking for something a bit more advanced than Recycling 101? Check out this: https://www.goingzerowaste.com/30-day-zero-waste-challenge/. It’s one of many extended (week- or month-long) challenges you can find online to reduce individual waste. They even offer ideas for kids to get involved, too!
Most importantly, continue to care.
For more ideas about making environmentally-friendly choices, visit https://www.epa.gov/recycle, https://www.orlando.gov/Trash-Recycling and https://www.nytimes.com/guides/year-of-living-better/how-to-reduce-your-carbon-footprint.
