Earth Day - Caring for Our Planet Today and Everyday
When I was around 8 or 9, my Girl Scout Troop went and did the annual Watershed Cleanup at the Delaware Raritan Towpath. We picked up trash that we found along the way – we would always find a lot of it – and tried to get the biggest bag of trash. We went down and found a little place that looked like someone had used it to camp and that was when we found boxer shorts. The whole troop thought it was the funniest thing that had ever happened to us because after all, who leaves their underwear behind? Nowadays, there are only a few of the original underwear-finders left in the group, yet every time we do this annual cleanup, one of us inevitably asks, “Do you remember that time when we were doing this cleanup and found boxer shorts?”
Pictured above is our Girl Scout Troop on a camping trip in 2018.
This experience, like many others, highlighted the importance of environmental awareness and action. It’s in this context that Earth Day as we know it emerged. Before 1970, factories had no accountability–they could dump toxic waste into the nearest river or expel noxious gas and smoke into the atmosphere. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) didn’t exist, and neither did many of the important environmental protection laws we have today. However, in 1970, a Wisconsin senator named Gaylord Nelson proposed Earth Day, a national holiday that was made to promote awareness of important environmental issues like the factories’ emissions and make people do something about the way they were increasingly damaging the planet. On the inaugural Earth Day in April of 1970, twenty million Americans observed the new holiday, and in December, Congress sanctioned the creation of a new federal organization to deal with environmental problems occuring in the U.S (EPA History: Earth Day | US EPA, 2023).
From that year on, Earth Day has ignited a planetary movement. What has ensued since its creation is a remarkable series of movements and initiatives aimed at saving our planet. Earth Day has become not just a date on the calendar but a rally for environmentalists, activists, and citizens everywhere. Prepare to be amazed by the surprising connections shaping our planet's future!
One of the most significant outcomes of Earth Day is the increased global awareness of environmental issues. Many people have come to realize the importance of preserving our planet for future generations. From elementary schoolers learning about recycling to policymakers drafting legislation to combat climate change, the impact of Earth Day is shown in different ways throughout society.
Powering Progress: The Impact on Renewable Energy Advocacy
In the years following its establishment, Earth Day has inspired many efforts aimed at addressing specific environmental challenges. One notable example is the push for renewable energy sources. As the world grapples with the consequences of fossil fuel consumption, there has been a surge in efforts to harness clean, sustainable energy sources such as solar and wind power. Organizations and individuals have advocated for laws that promote the adoption of renewable energy, leading to significant strides in reducing carbon emissions. Accountability for the damage that many factories are doing to the Earth is a big first step on the way to reestablishing a sustainable relationship between humans and the environment.
Additionally, it is not only the policymakers or big name corporations that can impact the world by implementing renewable energy, you can do it as well. If you are old enough to vote, you can use that power to help get a candidate in office who you personally think can help push impactful renewable energy initiatives in your municipality, state, or even country. Even if you are not old enough to vote, you can still write to local politicians and ask them to support sustainable energy policies and projects. On a smaller scale, you can ask your energy company to switch to a renewable energy option for your residence, or even just make sure to turn off the lights whenever you leave a room in order to save as much energy as possible.
Preserving Earth's Rich Biodiversity: Conservation Efforts for Ecosystems
Another key area of focus induced by Earth Day is the conservation of natural habitats and biodiversity. From the Amazon rainforest to coral reefs, ecosystems around the world are under threat from human activities such as deforestation, pollution, and habitat destruction. In response, conservationists have joined forces to protect endangered species and preserve critical habitats. Through initiatives like reforestation projects and protected marine areas, efforts are underway to safeguard Earth's rich biodiversity for a long time to come.
What you can do to help preserve our beautiful ecosystems is to plant native species near you or to support local farmers and growers in your area. Additionally, you can conserve water by taking shorter showers and reduce consumption and waste with the golden rule: reduce, reuse, recycle! Feel free also to donate to conservation organizations, educate others about this topic, participate in citizen science, or join a group that focuses on biodiversity and habitat conservation if you are interested and want to learn more about this issue.
Improving Mental Health: Eco-Wellness
Furthermore, even with all these profound impacts of Earth Day in regards to saving the planet, this special day also helps people’s mental well-being, more specifically by building a relationship with nature. For example, a study from the Journal of Humanistic Counseling found that a relationship with the natural world, whether it be through conservation efforts or just spending more time outdoors, is directly linked to a sharper mind and a physically healthier body (Firman, 2019). This concept of nature improving someone’s health is referred to as eco-wellness (Firman, 2019).
For teens specifically, eco-wellness is important. In fact, stress hormones like cortisol in teens have been shown to increase due to a lack of physical movement and a dependence on technology (Rex, 2021). As a result, taking time out of the day to take a walk in a nearby park, playing with siblings in the yard, or inviting friends over to play outside are simple activities that can improve your day. Sometimes you can feel overwhelmed with work or just life in general, so instead of letting yourself be stressed, you can just take a break, go outside, and enjoy the beauty of Earth.
Remember that as we celebrate Earth Day each year, it serves as a reminder of the responsibility we all have to protect our planet. From individuals taking small steps in their daily lives to governments implementing environmental policies, everyone has a role to play in preserving Earth's precious ecosystems and biodiversity. By utilizing the ideals of Earth Day year-round, we can work towards a sustainable future. So let's continue to honor Earth Day’s legacy by taking action every day to keep our planet healthy!
References:
EPA History: Earth Day | US EPA. (2023, July 17). Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved April 17, 2024, from https://www.epa.gov/history/epa-history-earth-day
Firman, T. (2019, April 4). Why “ecowellness” could be the secret to a whole new level of health. Well+Good. Retrieved April 20, 2024, from https://www.wellandgood.com/what-is-ecowellness/
Rex, K. (2021, March 24). Nature Therapy for Teens: Calming Effects of the Forest and Fresh Air. BlueFire Wilderness Therapy. Retrieved April 20, 2024, from https://bluefirewilderness.com/blog/nature-therapy-teens-calming-effects/
Julia Scibienski - Author
Avantika Palayekar - Editor
