Earth Day 2020 is Going Digital
2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. With shelter in place mandates in effect for the the majority of the country, most Earth Day events are canceled. We, like so many other eco-minded organizations, are devastated. The good news is Earth Day will still be fully celebrated. Earth Day is now going digital to mobilize the world to take the most meaningful actions to make a difference. On April 22, join EARTHRISE, a global digital mobilization that drives actions big and small, gives diverse voices a platform and demands bold action for people and the planet. Over the 24 hours of Earth Day, EARTHRISE will fill the digital landscape with global conversations, calls to action, performances, video teach-ins and more. While Earth Day may be going digital, our goal remains the same: to mobilize the world to take the most meaningful actions to make a difference.
There are many ways for individuals to make a difference this Earth Day. We are already seeing the positive climate impact of shelter in place. Air travel is at a minimum, children aren’t taking busses to school and individuals are not driving as much, all reducing pollution.
Eco Promotional Products encourages people to get outside and enjoy nature with your family. We’ve developed an Earth Month scavenger hunt that can be done walking around your neighborhood.
Following are easy ways individuals can celebrate Earth Day at home while social distancing:
- Stay home. As mentioned above, not driving will reduce your carbon footprint.
- Get educated. Turning Green Classroom offers 30 days of eco learning for students and families with simple, fun, impactful daily activities.
- Reduce energy use. If weather allows, spend less time binge watching, turn off the lights and spend as much time outside.
- Beautify your yard. Next time you do grocery shopping, see if your store has seed packets to create a pollinator-friendly landscape to support bees and Monarch butterflies. Be sure to leave the dandelions which play a crucial role in the health of bees and butterfly larvae in April and May.
- Eat plant-based meals. This may be challenging as many people are planning meals around what they can find at stores and what they have at home right now. The carbon footprint of a vegetarian diet is about half that of a meat-lover's diet.
- Don’t waste food. Food that decomposes in landfills releases methane. Reducing the amount of waste you produce will also benefit our garbage workers who are on the front lines. Commit to composting food scraps.
- Skip online shopping. While shopping online right now is convenient, it comes at a cost with the transportation and additional packaging required.
- Virtual climate strike. Is your town or state considering a ban on single-use plastic bags or straws? Email your local representatives to voice your support. Additionally, some of our country’s largest environmental groups like Greenpeace and the Sierra Club are calling on Congress to develop a stimulus plan that is a “People’s Bailout,” investing in an economy that reverses inequality, offers good paying jobs and tackles climate change. Visit thepeoplesbailout.org to learn more and take the steps to email your representatives.
We hope that everyone can find a way to celebrate the Earth and make an impact on April 22.