Today is Earth Day, a significant occasion that has been celebrated since 1970. It all began when an estimated 20 million Americans took to the streets, demanding environmental reform. What started as a single day of awareness has blossomed into the largest civic observance globally, with over a billion people participating annually. This is no small feat. However, the real question is: what can you do beyond scrolling past the green-tinted social media posts?
Here are five impactful ways to truly mark the day.
Get Outside and Clean Something Up. One of the flagship programs of Earth Day is The Great Global CleanUp, and it’s exactly what it sounds like. Find a local beach, trail, park, or street, and dedicate an hour to picking up litter. This activity requires minimal effort, yields immediate visible results, and contributes genuinely to your community. For organized cleanups near you, check out earthday.org.
Plant Something. Whether it’s a tree, a container garden on your balcony, or herbs on your windowsill, planting is a powerful way to celebrate Earth Day. In 2011, over 1.1 million trees were planted across 17 of the world’s most heavily deforested countries. You don’t need to match that number; even planting one small plant in a pot counts. Every little bit helps in restoring our planet.
Cut Your Single-Use Plastic for the Day, Then Keep Going. Earth Day 2018 focused on plastic pollution, raising awareness that led to 60 countries implementing single-use plastic legislation. This year, challenge yourself to bring a reusable bag, skip the disposable cup, and say no to straws. These small changes may seem trivial, but they can lead to significant impacts over time.
Teach Someone Something. Earth Day began as a teach-in, and that spirit is worth preserving. Share an informative article, watch a documentary with your kids, or engage in a conversation about a local environmental issue that resonates with you. The original organizers believed that education was the foundation for all other actions, and they were absolutely right.
Vote Like It Matters, Because It Does. Environmental Action, a group that emerged from the first Earth Day, ran a campaign in 1970 called the Dirty Dozen, targeting the worst environmental offenders in Congress. Remarkably, seven of the twelve were defeated. Understanding where your local candidates stand on environmental issues and making your voice heard at the ballot box remains one of the most direct actions any individual can take.
