Earth Day is April 22, 2018
By Aparna Mele
Earth Day is a time to honor and respect our beautiful planet, bring global awareness to the environmental issues we are facing, and shed light on ways we can each help to protect the earth as citizens of this planet. With the perils now facing our Earth, it has now become critical for each of us to take steps towards reducing output and preserving our ecosystem and environment.
Earth Day has been recognized as one of the most widely celebrated environmental events across the world! April 22nd marks the day that events are held worldwide with the intention of increasing awareness, supporting environmental protection, and appreciating the Earth’s natural environment. Recycling and reducing waste are particularly emphasized on this day because the positive benefits that it provides for the environment. On this day, more than 1 billion people are expected to participate in Earth Day around the world, making it the largest civic observance in the world. The campaigns involved range from encouraging green cities, climate change and reforestation. The rallies and marches taking place this Earth day will have the effect of demonstrating public support for environmental issues.
However, these are not the only ways you can get involved! You don’t have to go to an official event as there are many ways to create a personal beneficial impact on our planet. Reduce your amount of plastic use is a powerful and highly meaningful effort. Plastic creates toxic pollution that the Earth cannot break down, and that negatively affects human health. Avoid purchasing disposable plastics, like bags and bottles, and instead replace them with reusable products. Plant trees and saplings, collect and remove garbage from your environment, clean your local roads and parks, sign petitions that advocate for eco-friendly change, share environmental education with others in order to increase awareness of the effects of climate change. For more information, the EPA’s Earth Day website https://www.epa.gov/earthday offers plenty of suggestions for events and activities, project resources, and community service volunteerism. In making a dedicated, long-term commitment to improving your carbon footprint, you will be working in the spirit of Earth Day and inspiring long-term change to benefit our Earth! We hope you enjoy Earth day and spend it outdoors, doing something you love, celebrating this beautiful gift of nature, and helping to create a cleaner planet.
Our task must be to free ourselves … by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty. – Albert Einstein (1879-1955).
