Happy (early) Earth Day! Each year on April 22nd, Earth Day is observed to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of the environmental movement and to spread awareness of the importance of preserving the planet’s natural resources. Prior to 1970, there were no rules or regulations pertaining to pollution or toxic waste. Because of this lack of statute, Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day as a way to get this issue onto the national agenda.
Here are a few things you can do this week to celebrate and honor our planet:
Get outside!
Go on a walk, hike, try gardening, or just spend some time outside! There are a plethora of things you can do outside. Spending just 2 hours in nature per week can “significantly boost health and well-being.” Being in nature is a great way to connect with your surroundings and ground yourself to help relieve unwanted or painful emotions.
Tune into Earth Week
Earth Week, or the Earth Day Live series, is a virtual celebration of Earth Day that lasts from April 17th to April 22nd. This virtual event analyzes Earth’s most critical environmental concerns and discusses various approaches that can help protect our planet. Join the conversation and hear from a wide range of panelists.
Sign petitions to show your support for initiatives that can help our earth
Signing petitions is a great way to make your voice heard and be a part of essential and sustainable change. Your opinion matters, and it’s up to you to speak up and demand action, no matter how big or small.
Do a little spring cleaning and donate
Kill two birds with one stone (not actually!) and do some spring cleaning while helping the fight against unsustainable fast fashion as well as clothing waste and pollution. Go through old clothes and clutter and consider donating them to a local thrift or consignment store. That way, you’re making space for new and exciting things while allowing your items to find a second life with someone else!
Acts of charity bring on feelings of happiness, improve our mental and general health, promotes social connectedness, and evoke gratitude. Giving to others is contagious. We not only help the recipient, but it also generates a ripple effect of generosity throughout the community. Consider donating to your favorite charities and organizations that work towards supporting nature.
Watch some documentaries about nature and wildlife
Our planet is home to an abundance of diverse and distinct nature and wildlife. It’s vital that we remind ourselves just how essential nature and wildlife are to our environment and our lives. Documentaries are a great way to strengthen our connection to nature and wildlife without leaving home. There are countless documentaries on nature and wildlife out there; just take your pick!
Whatever you decide to do this Earth Day, just remember to take some time to remind yourself how important the health of our planet is. It’s up to all of us to campaign for sustainable choices and implement nature-based solutions to combat the climate crisis. At OneNature, we contend that there are connections between addressing the climate problem and preserving biodiversity and open places. We believe nature-based solutions can create greater well-being for people by focusing on what matters. We must shift away from the unsustainable consumption of natural resources that grants us fleeting happiness in favor of more sustainable choices that create lasting impacts.