Today is Earth Day 2024!
Americans celebrated Earth Day for the first time in 1970. It has since grown from that single bipartisan US government proclamation into a global day of recognition. It is a day to highlight the joys of the outdoors while staying focused on the need to protect and restore the planet. Deforestation, nature loss, toxic chemicals, and plastic pollution are real threats to our health and nature. Here are a few ways to celebrate and participate today:
Get outside
Today is a global day of recognition when folks all over the Earth think about getting outside, protecting the natural world, and celebrating outdoor spaces. You should get out, too. Take a walk for a 15-minute break during the day, eat your lunch outside, or plan a hike at dusk. In today’s commute-dependent and screen-driven world, it can be tough to “turn off” and get outside, but getting outside is one of the best ways you can help recognize Earth Day.
Get the kids excited about outside.
Help the kids learn about rocks, water, and plants (books are a great start). Once children start to understand where all the parts of nature come from and how they work together, they can start to understand why they are all so important. Once kids understand how important a healthy planet is to all of us, then they will want to start helping protect it.
Three Ways to Take Action
- There are so many wonderful conservation organizations out there working to protect our planet, not just on Earth Day. It’s easy to make a monetary donation or volunteer some time to help pick up a trail or street in your neighborhood. It’s good to think about how your action along your sidewalk or road is part of a larger effort to protect our planet.
- You can also donate old gear. Check your local outdoor shops and search online. Many places are looking for used gear to sell (and often will let you ship for free), and even more outdoor folks are looking for cheaper used gear. Plus, it keeps the old shoes, backs, and gear out of the landfill! How often do we get a win-win-win scenario?
- You can also sign the official Earth Day Global Plastics Treaty Petition. It’s pushing for an audacious goal of a 60% reduction in the production of all plastics worldwide by 2040. That would be amazing! This petition starts with the United Nations and hopes to grow the movement from there.
BONUS: Think about how you can make any Earth Day-focused efforts you do part of your daily routine. This can be a tough one, but thinking about plastics in the home, water usage and even the plants in your yard is how we all will really start to make a difference. The outdoors belongs to everyone. Claim it. Protect it. Share the love of nature.
On Earth Day Today, remember that it’s our shared responsibility to treat it with care. We hope that wherever you are on Earth Day 2024, you can get outside, spread the word about the importance of a healthy planet, and enjoy what nature offers you.
