Earth Day: Let’s Celebrate with a Call to Action!

The work of today is the history of tomorrow, and we are its makers. – Juliette Gordon Low

Take a moment to really let this quote sink in. What are we doing on this earth if not changing and shaping the planet on a daily basis? Everything we do affects the world around us, and we live with the consequences of our actions (both positive and negative). So let us think about how we are using our impact for the greater good. In less than a week, it is believed that ONE BILLION people in 192 countries will take part in what is the largest civic-focused day of action in the world.

Let’s add to that number as a group! Let me hit you with some facts about Earth Day, our current earthly state, and what we can do to help!

First: Did you know, that the first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970, as a result of the negative impacts from industrial development and the Santa Barbara Oil Blowout of 1969 that spilled three million gallons of oil into the Pacific Ocean? Denis Hayes organized the first day of recognition and Senator Gaylord Nelson played a large role in making it a day of observance for years to come. Next year will be the 50th Anniversary!

“The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.” – Rachel Carson, Founder of the environmental movement and author of Silent Spring

Second: This year’s theme for Earth Day is Protect Our Species! Did you know that between one and five species will go extinct annually – BUT scientists are estimating that we are losing species at 1,000-10,000 times the normal rate, with multiple extinctions daily. Species are disappearing before we even learn about them! It’s up to us as a human race to minimize our impact, educate ourselves, and be proactive in our protection of Earth.

Third: Here are some neat results of people working together on Earth Day to create positive environmental impacts:

In 2012 – more than 100,000 people rode bikes in China to reduce CO2 emissions and save fuel
In 2011 – 28 million trees were planted in Afghanistan
In Panama – 100 endangered species of orchids were planted and maintained to prevent the extinction

A HUGE endeavor and accomplishment is currently taking place. For the 50th Anniversary (2020) Earth Day Network is striving for 3 Billion Acts of Green. This could be no longer using plastic bags, giving up meat, planting a tree, eating organic produce, writing notes to the government, and the list could go on and on! It’s anything that you do with an environmentally-conscious effort.

What can you do to help get to this goal of 3 Billion Acts of Green?

Check out the link with unlimited ways you can take action!
Plant a tree/group of trees
Try composting
Take a walk in nature and just appreciate it
Host a recycling party
Start a letter-writing campaign to the government about ecological concerns
Start a neighborhood garden
Clean the highways and streams – litter control
Monitor electricity being used in your house and cut back (shower length, leaving the lights on when you leave the room, water faucet usage, TV/Phone screen time.
Have a zero-waste day (week, month, year!)

At camp, we’re conscious of the amount of electricity we use, we host various schools during the month of May to teach environmental education, focus on taking only what you know what you’ll eat while reducing the amount of food you take for yourself. It’s important to know that these practices can be part of your life at camp and outside of it!

Most importantly, use these tactics in your daily lives, and together we’ll be able to make a difference for our planet. As we prepare to celebrate this special day, I’ll leave you with this quote by John Muir while we think of the bigger picture and what our impact truly is:

“When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.” – John Muir, Naturalist, known as the Father of the National Parks

Let’s make Earth Day 2019 something we’re proud to be a part of!

Earth Day: Let’s Celebrate with a Call to Action!

The work of today is the history of tomorrow, and we are its makers. – Juliette Gordon Low

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