When is Earth Day 2021?
Earth Day is an annual event which takes place on 22nd April since it started in 1970. For those who love a bit of history, check this out
This year, organisers have called for three days of climate action, starting on 20th April which is expected to run for the whole week and obviously named Earth Week.
Why is there an Earth Day?
Before 1970, it was perfectly legal to dump toxic waste in a nearby stream or pollute the air with black clouds of toxic smoke. They couldn't be held accountable or taken to court to stop it.
How was that possible?
Because there was no EPA, no Clean Air Act, no Clean Water Act. There were no legal or regulatory mechanisms to protect our environment. In spring 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day as a way to force this issue onto the national agenda. Twenty million Americans demonstrated in different U.S. cities, and it worked! In December 1970, Congress authorized the creation of a new federal agency to tackle environmental issues, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
What is Earth Day?
Earth Day is an annual event to demonstrate support for environmental protection. It's kind of a big deal with millions of people around the world marking the date and using it as a platform to discuss the environmental problems that we are facing including air pollution, deforestation and climate change. We are also hoping to see a large focus on the damage we are doing to our seas too!
On 22nd & 23rd April, 40 world leaders are due to take part in a virtual summit to highlight the urgency for stronger climate action. The event will be live-streamed because of the pandemic.
It's also more than just increasing awareness of environmental problems, it's also becoming a popular week for communities to get together and organise clean up events, plant trees, improve your local environment and think about your own lifestyle, can you switch out your kitchen products to a greener alternative?
Check out our 'Switch' blogs
OK, lets get back to it....
What is the theme for this year?
EARTHDAY.ORG’s theme for Earth Day 2021 is Restore Our Earth™, which focuses on natural processes, emerging green technologies, and innovative thinking that can restore the world’s ecosystems. In this way, the theme rejects the notion that mitigation or adaptation are the only ways to address climate change. It is up to each and every one of us to Restore Our Earth not just because we care about the natural world, but because we live on it. We all need a healthy Earth to support our jobs, livelihoods, health & survival, and happiness. A healthy planet is not an option — it is a necessity.
“At the heart of Earth Day's 2021 theme, Restore Our Earth, is optimism, a critically needed sentiment in a world ravaged by both climate change and the pandemic," said Kathleen Rogers, president of EarthDay.org
What can we do to take part?
More than 1 billion people in 192 countries now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world. Be a part of Earth Day and help further climate action across the globe. There's a heap of ideas here - Earth Day Tool Kit
Small changes that you can make on Earth Day and beyond
Save water. Turn off the tap! A running tap uses 6 litres of water per minute. If you brush your teeth as recommended for two minutes, that's around 12 litres saved each time. Twice a day that's 24 litres saved per person. *Source
Save some trees! Unsubscribe from junk mail via post and go paperless. Bank statements through the post should be a thing of the past with the amazing Apps that are at our fingertips these days. Also, switch to Ebooks, not only are they lighter to carry around but a kindle will also save space in your bag.
Give your time. With so many volunteer projects up and down the UK there is always an opportunity to get directly involved. From planting trees to helping wildlife thrive, clean up projects to Park Ranger roles there is something for everyone.
Zero waste challenge. Why not try a whole month of minimizing your waste production. Each day that goes by will definitely make you think before you buy or act and eventually your entire way of living.
Leave the car at home. Walk or cycle whenever possible or when it's safe to do so, catch public transport and leave the car at home. You will be not just saving the petrol money but also getting your steps in too! Win win!
Ditch the plastic. Ditch the plastic straws, bottles, shopping bags, coffee cups any anything else you can think of! Bring your own reuseable bags and coffee cups/water bottle when you leave the house. Think Keys, Phone, Mask, Bags, Bottle.
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