There are plenty of opportunities each of us has to take action to protect the planet this Earth Month and beyond.
Earth Month takes place in April every year. This annual awareness month is an opportunity to raise awareness and advocate for change around the issues most impacting our planet.
Earth Month, which surrounds the all-important Earth Day on April 22, feels especially important this year, as our window to make the urgent changes we need to address the climate crisis – from adapting to the damage we can no longer avoid, to preventing the worst-of-the-worst from happening. The urgency surrounding climate action should inspire us all into action during Earth Month and beyond!
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.
What is the theme for Earth Month 2023?
The theme for both Earth Day and Earth Month 2023 is “Invest In Our Planet.” This year’s theme focuses on engaging governments, institutions, businesses, and the more than 1 billion citizens who participate annually in Earth Day to do their part — “everyone accounted for, everyone accountable.”
Activities and ideas: How to celebrate Earth Month
1. Watch documentaries about the Earth
Documentaries are a powerful tool for bringing important environmental issues to the forefront of our minds – especially when they’re narrated by legends like David Attenborough or even former President Barack Obama.
2. Listen to podcasts about the environment
We know the vibe: Every time you head out of the house, it’s you and your headphones against the world. But what if you and your headphones teamed up with the world?
3. Read books about protecting the planet
Saving the world sure would be a lot easier if we all had a guidebook. The good news is that so many environmental experts have lended their brilliance to books you can buy or check out from your local library – so you can start learning even more about this beautiful planet we call home.
4. Tend to your local community garden
Even if you’re more of a farmer’s market stand shopper or mindful grocery store visitor than a community garden user, you can still be involved in providing fresh produce to your community! Connect with people in your local gardens, food distribution, or urban landscaping communities and see where you can volunteer. Can you tend to the garden once a week? Can you distribute seasonal fruits and veggies to neighbours? Maybe you can even make social media graphics to spread the word. No matter your skills, building local, regenerative agriculture systems takes all of us.
5. Clean up litter in your community
Whether you rally a clean team, or you just bring a bucket along on your next dog walk to pick up trash, cleaning up litter in your community is a small but mighty way to volunteer in service of the planet.
6. Restore nature in your area
Want to get your hands dirty? There are plenty of opportunities! Use Earth Month as a launchpad to get involved in nature conservation. Plant trees and native plants, help restore wildlife habitats, and more.
7. Donate to environmental justice organizations in your community
We know that Indigenous and Black communities have been at the forefront of the environmental justice movement long before trendy “eco-friendly” ideas entered the scene. Still, these communities remain marginalized and lack access to funds and resources to do the important work of protecting our planet. When donating to environmental organizations, keep in mind intersectionality, and redistribute wealth to grassroots organizations that count on your support.
8. Work with political groups to champion environmental justice
Let’s face it: Fighting climate change requires us to work with politicians and corporations who maybe don’t have the best interests of our planet in mind. But our collective power can make a difference. Whether you can canvas, write postcards, testify to your local elected officials, or even just register people to vote, this work truly matters.
9. Host a clothing swap in your community
The fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world. In fact, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, every second, the equivalent of one garbage truck’s worth of clothing is burned or buried in a landfill. Yeah, that’s not great. Aside from shopping secondhand, you can also coordinate a clothing swap with your friends and fellow tree-huggers. Share your most beloved pieces, try new styles for free, and help the planet all at the same time!
10. Make lifestyle changes that benefit the planet
Sometimes a “zero waste” lifestyle or sustainability journey can seem really out of reach, but the truth is that making sustainability swaps doesn’t have to be difficult or costly! Even a few small changes can make a big difference. Here are a few you can consider this Earth Month:
- 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.
- Reduce your meat, dairy and egg intake (or better still, go plant-based). Animal agriculture has a huge impact on our earth and climate change.
Original source: https://www.goodgoodgood.co
