Earth Day 2023 Calls for Action

Alright, let’s talk about Earth Day 2023! So, you may be wondering what all the fuss is about. Well, Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22nd to raise awareness about environmental issues and encourage people to take action to protect our planet. It all started back in 1970, organized by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as a way to bring attention to the growing environmental crisis. Back then, environmental issues weren’t a mainstream concern, but Senator Nelson knew that by mobilizing grassroots activism and creating a day of focused awareness, he could spark a new conversation about environmentalism. And boy, did he succeed! The first Earth Day had an estimated 20 million participants across the United States! This led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of several key environmental laws including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.

Today, Earth Day is celebrated all over the world. It’s a day to celebrate the beauty and diversity of our planet while inspiring us to recommit ourselves to protecting it for future generations. It’s not just a one-day event, but a reminder that every day is an opportunity to take action toward preserving our environment. Let’s commit to treat every day like Earth Day!

Here are some ways to take action this Earth Day 2023:

1. Plant a tree or start a garden. Planting a tree or starting a garden is a great way to celebrate Earth Day and contribute to the health of the planet. Not only does it help to combat climate change by capturing carbon, but it also provides habitat for wildlife and helps to improve air quality. Plus, gardening can be a fun and relaxing hobby!

2. Participate in a local cleanup event or organize one yourself. Participating in a local cleanup event is a great way to give back to your community and help keep your neighborhood clean and beautiful. You can also organize a cleanup event yourself and invite friends and family to join you in making a positive impact.

3. Reduce energy consumption by turning off lights and unplugging electronics when not in use. Conserving energy is important for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. One easy way to do this is by turning off lights and unplugging electronics when you’re not using them. You can also invest in energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs to further reduce your energy consumption.

4. Switch to environmentally-friendly products such as reusable water bottles or bags, remanufactured inks/toners, and other sustainable products. Switching to environmentally-friendly products is a great way to reduce your environmental footprint. Reusable water bottles and bags can help to reduce plastic waste, and there are many other sustainable alternatives to single-use products that you can explore. Remanufactured ink and toner reduce environmental waste by reusing existing cartridges instead of adding them to a landfill.

5. Return single-use plastic bags to grocery stores for them to recycle. These bags can take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills and can also pose a threat to wildlife if they end up in the environment. By returning these bags to grocery stores, they can be collected and sent to specialized recycling facilities that can turn them into new products.

6. Start composting food waste or create a worm bin. Composting food waste is a great way to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill and also create nutrient-rich soil for gardening. You can start a compost pile in your backyard, or create a worm bin indoors if you don’t have outdoor space.

7. Take public transportation, bike, or walk instead of driving alone. Transportation is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, so finding alternative modes of transportation is important for reducing your environmental impact. You can take public transportation, bike, or walk instead of driving alone to reduce emissions and improve air quality.

8. Educate yourself and others about environmental issues and ways to take action. Education is key for raising awareness about environmental issues and inspiring action. You can read books, watch documentaries, or attend events to learn more about the issues facing our planet, and then share what you’ve learned with others to inspire change.

9. Support local farmers and businesses that prioritize sustainability practices. Supporting local farmers and businesses that prioritize sustainability practices is a great way to contribute to the health of the planet and your community. You can shop at farmers’ markets, buy from local businesses, and look for certifications like “Fair Trade” or “Certified Organic” to ensure that your purchases are environmentally and socially responsible.

10. Reduce water usage by fixing leaks and taking shorter showers. Conserving water is important for reducing your environmental footprint and protecting this precious resource. You can reduce your water usage by finding and fixing leaks, upgrading appliances and fixtures to their water-efficient counterpart, and taking quicker showers.

11. Organize a “zero waste” challenge with friends or family to reduce waste and increase recycling. A “zero waste” challenge is a fun and educational way to reduce waste and increase recycling. You can challenge yourself and your friends or family to see how little waste you can produce in a week or a month, and explore creative ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

There Are So Many Earth Day Resources

Are looking to get involved in a local Earth Day 2023 activity in your area? Wonderful! There are plenty of resources available to you. One great place to start is by checking out EarthDay.org, which has a global map of events and activities happening all around the world. You can search for events near you by location, date, and the type of activity you’re interested in. Another great resource is your local government’s website, which often has a dedicated section for Earth Day events and activities. Not only state websites but check your local county and city as well. You can also check out National & State Parks, environmental organizations, community centers, and libraries in your area, as they often host workshops, film screenings, and other fun events. This year, National Parks Services are waiving entrance fees on Earth Day, April 22nd, 2023 to encourage people to get out in person to visit a park and participate in events planned for the week. Another option to find local activities is to search Facebook Events. They often post community activities and you can search in your local area. Finally, make sure to follow local organizations on social media to stay updated on upcoming Earth Day events in your area. There are so many ways to get involved and make a difference Earth Day 2023, so start exploring and have fun!