Earth Day is this Wednesday, April 22, which represents a historical moment in several ways. For one, it’s the 50th anniversary of this international day for the planet. It’s also the first time we cannot experience it together due to COVID-19. As part of several initiatives that had Earth Day events planned for this week, the current situation has required a lot of creative thinking around how to celebrate Earth Day 2020 during COVID-19. If anything, I think the ideas that have come out of these unexpected brainstorming sessions are not only creative, they also allow more people to access them given their virtual nature.
So, how can you celebrate Earth Day from the comfort of your own home this year? We will explore a few ways in this post. First, let’s quickly chat about the history of Earth Day.
April 22, 1970: The birth of the modern environmental movement
On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans took to the streets to protest the environmental injustices taking place in their country. Following the release of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring (READ THIS!!) in 1962, people across the globe were suddenly made aware of how disruptive their everyday activities were to the planet, and to their own health.
Initiated by the efforts of an American Senator and activist, the day was chosen late-April to maximize college student participation. News of the event was spread through educational campaigns, NGOs, religious groups and more. The protests on April 22, 1970 marked a historic event because it was one of the rare times people of all political, religious and economic classes could come together to agree on one thing: their industrialized behaviours are harming the planet, and their health.
The first Earth Day created momentum for the formation of several key environmental legislative pieces in the USA – the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Environmental Education Act, the Clean Air Act and more. In 1990, the first global Earth Day took place with over 200 million participants from 141 countries, building a strong foundation for the first-ever United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, which was a monumental turning point in the environmental movement. In essence, Earth Day can be considered the “birth of the modern environmental movement” as it was the first time that people across the world were mobilized to take environmental action. To this day, millions of citizens around the world come together to demand action to protect their sacred planet.
Earth day 2020: a new approach
We now know that Earth Day is, historically, characterized by people taking to the streets in large numbers to demand change. That is not an option this year. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t act on Earth Day. We just have to act in a different way than normal! Let’s look at how to celebrate Earth Day 2020 during COVID-19 in four unique ways.
1. set a goal
Have you been wanting to kickstart your sustainability journey, but putting it off until the “right” moment, like a New Years resolution that can only happen on January 1st? Or are you already living sustainably but want to take that further? Whatever the case, treat Earth Day as your motivation to make a change in your life. Choose one thing that is manageable to change, and create a SMART goal. It could be eating more plant-based, using less plastic in the kitchen, driving less, thrifting more clothing – the list is endless! Make sure that your goal is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, otherwise you will not be motivated to achieve it.
2. get outside
Earth Day is about the Earth, so why not reconnect with your surroundings? Go for a walk or hike in your nearby natural areas, play in the backyard, tend to your garden, or just sit outside and enjoy some fresh air. Many of us are cooped up inside the house, sometimes for days on end. Getting outside for even ten minutes each day is mentally refreshing for yourself while reminding you of the amazing ecosystem services (air filtration, carbon sequestration, natural beauty) that the Earth provides!
3. tune in to virtual events
Since events are no longer happening in-person, community organizations and action groups have taken to the Internet to inspire change. There are live webinars, workshops, concerts and more taking place all around the world – the majority of which are free to (virtually) attend! Check out my resources at the bottom of the page to explore virtual events in your area and around the world.
4. talk about it
An important aspect of environmental action is to talk about why action is needed. What are the issues that concern you, and how can you engage in meaningful solutions? Have these conversations with friends, family or whoever else you are in quarantine with (or phone/video calling). You may inspire them to view the issues in a new perspective, or brainstorm new ways to take action in your own life. Effective solutions to any problem – environmental, social, economic, calculus homework – are built from productive conversations and collaboration.
helpful resources
Check out these pages for more information on how you can celebrate Earth Day 2020:
- Earth Day 2020 Event Map: a global tracker for all the virtual events going on. Zoom in on your home town, or use the search engine to filter by event type, organization, interests, etc.
- My list of easy zero-waste swaps: a great goal you can set is to start incorporating more zero-waste habits into your daily life. Three years ago in honour of Earth Day, I wrote this guide for living zero-waste.
- #EarthDayAtHome: a list of awesome activities you can do from the comfort of your own home to celebrate Earth Day this year.
- Earth Day Live: a free, 3-day virtual event you can sign up for that will showcase activists, artists and more (including Al Gore) as they mobilize climate action.
- Check out local initiatives on social media: I’m participating in Peel Climate Council’s Earth Week. Every day they are hosting a new virtual event. Be sure to check out their lineup, and explore what’s going on with your local groups!
- Register your own digital event: Eager to start a discussion or create change in your local community? Register with Earth Day Network as an official event and watch your virtual audience grow.
helpful resources
Let’s all take a moment to thank and celebrate the Earth for all that it provides us. While the world may be a strange place right now, it is the Earth that allows us to thrive.
If you enjoyed this post and want more inspiration for how to take climate action at home, check out these posts:
- 5 ways to live sustainably during COVID-19
- Top 3 all-natural, single-ingredient skin care products
- 10 zero-waste swaps for everyday life
- 3 eco-friendly, cheap and easy cleaning products
- How to eat sustainably on a student budget
- 3 criteria for sustainable tea
- 6 criteria for sustainable makeup
What are your plans for Earth Day? Are you starting a virtual event in your community? Let me know in the comments, or tag me on social media at @_ctablog for a feature!
Until next time.
