Earth Month takes place April each year, culminating on the 22nd – Earth Day. It’s a time to raise environmental awareness and create consciousness around the issues that affect mother nature during this time of crisis. Every April, environmental leaders and activists all around the world present plans, strategies, and solutions for mitigating and preventing further damage to the planet and its resources.
Earth Month started as a movement to resist the abusive and negligent consumption of leaded gas by Americans. This climate crisis started with air pollution brought about by the emissions of massive, inefficient automobiles. Environmental activism during the 1960s inspired Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson to create a national celebration uniting the environmental movement. With the help of Denis Hayes, a graduate student at Harvard University, Nelson organized the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, educating participants in the importance of environmental conservation. Attended by 20 million people across the United States, the event strengthened support for legislation such as the Clean Air Act (updated in 1970) and the Endangered Species Act (1973). In 1990, Hayes organized a global Earth Day, with more than 200 million participants in more than 140 countries.
Earth Day now brings together citizens and activists from around the world to raise awareness and take action regarding such environmental concerns as global warming and renewable energy. Today, Earth Day is an annual celebration that honors the achievements of the environmental movement and raises awareness of the need to protect Earth’s natural resources for future generations.
Since a day isn’t enough to achieve the desired results regarding climate solutions, Earth Month was created.
Activities & Ideas: How To Celebrate Earth Month
So, with a world of things to do to help the planet, what can YOU do?
- Clean up litter in your community.
- Restore nature in your area.
- Tend to your local community garden.
- Donate to environmental justice organizations in your community.
- Urge your elected officials to enact meaningful climate legislation.
- Work with political groups to champion environmental justice.
- Read good news about the environment.
- Watch documentaries about the Earth.
- Listen to podcasts about the environment.
- Read books about protecting the planet.
- Host a clothing swap in your community.
- Consider making energy efficient home swaps.
- Choose seasonal produce next time you get groceries.
- Set up a carpool — or choose any other car-free mode of transportation.
- Try to buy — and waste — less. And if you do need something, consider investing in mindful eco-friendly (or pre-loved!) products.
- Compost your food scraps.
Last but not least, spend time in the great outdoors as you celebrate Mother Earth.
And while the urgency surrounding climate action should inspire us all into action during Earth Month and beyond — so should the incredible progress we’re already making and will continue to make.
There are so many inspiring helpers making a real, meaningful difference for our planet, and by extension all the life it sustains, including humanity. We’ll go into the opportunities each of us has to join them in taking action to protect the planet this Earth Month and all year long.