This month sees the latest iteration of Earth Day. The annual event celebrated around the world aims to push for more sustainable living and drive positive change for the planet. Launched in the US in 1970, today it has become an important event for raising awareness of global climate issues and promoting action to strive for a more sustainable way of living, and for the health and longevity of the planet.
This year’s event takes place on 22 April with the theme ‘Our Power, Our Planet’, reflecting the many possibilities created by different communities and individuals around the world when working together. The theme also aims to highlight how the actions of individuals can drive progress and change, and how every individual voice counts.
Significant impact
The impact of Earth Day is significant, contributing to a number of environmental laws being introduced or strengthened. For example, in the US, the Clean Air Act (passed in 1963) was significantly strengthened in 1970 by setting national air quality standards to protect public health. In the UK, Earth Day’s awareness-raising about single-use plastic led to the UK government passing regulations such as extended producer responsibility, making manufacturers pay for the disposal of packaging waste.
Earth Day’s introduced its Canopy Tree Project has planted more than 150 million trees across the world
In 2010, Earth Day introduced its Canopy Tree Project, which has so far planted more than 150 million trees across the world in vulnerable areas. It has focused on the regions that have been most affected by deforestation, restoring habitats and vital resources important not only for the local species and livelihoods of nearby communities, but also the wider population. The project aims to plant 60 million more trees by Earth Day’s 60th anniversary in 2030.
Another Earth Day campaign, The Great Global Cleanup, aims to eliminate plastic pollution and waste, protect ecosystems and push for cleaner environments around the world – from huge, bustling cities to small, rural communities.
Small steps
Taking small steps towards living more sustainably will not only impact the environment at home; it will benefit the entire planet. Here are five simple actions we as individuals might consider:
- Focus on using recycled or recyclable plastic, including using reusable, recycled, cotton or canvas carrier bags.
- Buy loose fruit and vegetables rather than packaged products. This not only avoids the use of polluting plastics; it reduces food waste, as you can pick out the exact amount you need.
- Consider growing your own fruit and vegetables at home; tomatoes and strawberries take up little space and will thrive on a sunny windowsill or patio even in cooler climates. As well as saving money and reducing waste, it also reduces transportation emissions.
- Swap the car for walking short journeys. This not only reduces the release of greenhouse gases but also provides exercise and boosts wellbeing.
- Turn down the heating (or air-conditioning) by a few degrees and put on more layers. An adjustment of a few degrees can make a big difference to the environment.
Changes like these may seem small in comparison to the vast number of issues our planet is facing, but these actions have powerful consequences when done regularly and at scale. Observing Earth Day isn’t just about pressurising governments; we all have a part we can play.
