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(Left to right) Naomi Tracy-Hegg, Martine Redshaw and Olya Wright. Photo courtesy of Olya Wright
Earth Day may have seemed a little different this year, but that does not mean that we should discontinue our work to help the planet. This year there were many virtual Earth Day programs hosted by climate organizations, but still, as individuals, we can take a walk-through town with an eye open for trash collecting in the gutters. Action is not dependent on the weather, a pandemic, or the motivation of others. Action depends on you.
One important detail that is easy to overlook: every day is Earth Day. Our planet does not take a vacation. We can help every day with just a little extra effort. Many of us frequently use products packaged in plastic, be it food or household goods. Perhaps try replacing these with homemade goods or with local or natural materials. Recycle what you can, and be aware of the energy you are using. Find a non-plastic solution to a product you use frequently and replace it forever (for example: toothbrushes, phone cases, Tupperware, packaged food you buy). Attend a talk about the environment, plant trees, or buy organic food. The options are endless – Tell your friends .
Earth Day is a momentous time for everyone involved: the humans, the animals, the environment. There’s so much history wrapped up in these 24 hours, from the first Earth Day to our local celebrations and all the world events centered around this day.
The first Earth Day was founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson, whose concern about our environment continued to grow as he watched oil spills and other atrocities just keep happening. So, in 1970, a rare moment of complete bipartisanship was embodied in a huge march in Washington D.C., where Republican, Democrat, rich, poor, and all colors took to the streets to save our planet. Since then, the movement has grown, with a billion people participating in Earth Day events each year and over 190 countries lending a hand. In 2016, the Paris Agreement was signed on Earth Day, bringing 195 countries together in an effort to bring down carbon emissions.
Earth Day is celebrated vigorously in Grand Marais. Past years have always had a beach cleanup- one year you got free Voyageurs drinks for helping to clean up our beaches! Another year, we had a March for Science, where participants dressed up as animals or earths and marched throughout Grand Marais, chanting an ode to science. Other years have included kids’ events for the little ones who don’t quite understand what Earth Day is but would love to participate: fish stamps, painting rocks, and more.
Earth Day can’t just be a single day of the year. We don’t live on earth one day out of 365 but every single day of the year. We live with the consequences of our actions, and so taking action to protect this planet is key. Even the astronauts (or satellites for that matter) that orbit earth are affected by our choices as air pollution and fires block the view of our blue-green planet and are a harsh reminder of reality, to those that have the vantage point of outer space. Taking action on a single day is a wonderful first step! But only the first. Everyone takes action in their own way, but that doesn’t mean their steps toward a cleaner and greener future are not important.
Below are a few ideas of how to continue Earth Day throughout the year. Earth Year, here we come!
Sierra Club (www.sierraclub.org )”We champion solutions to the climate crisis. We work for clean air, safe water, land protection, and a vibrant natural world. We fight for environmental and social justice. We believe in getting people outside to enjoy the outdoors.” Take action with the Sierra Club, sign up for their newsletter with easy, impactful, and direct ways to take action. It is hard to figure out how to take action on your own, so join with others; join the movement of motivation!
Advocate for Minnesota Leadership on Climate Change. (www.walzclimatereportcard.org/) (www.walzclimatereportcard.org/clicktocall/ )
Reduce, Refuse… Ditch the Plastic!!
( www.pelacase.com/ ) “Meet Pela, the World’s First Compostable Phone Case. Together, we can stop plastic at the source.”
International action on a local scale. plasticoceans.org/
“Today, the national organization American Rivers named the Boundary Waters in their Most Endangered Rivers® report, citing the grave threat copper mining poses to clean water and America’s most popular Wilderness. The Boundary Waters is on the list of most endangered waterways in the U.S. Congress must act to permanently protect this wild and beautiful place from the threat of copper mining once-and-for-all.
A pause in our day-to-day human life doesn’t mean that we stop using plastic; doesn’t mean that we stop using energy created by burning coal; doesn’t mean our earth doesn’t continue to suffer.
During this pandemic, many of us have been spending more time at home, in our backyards, and in the great outdoors. Earth has given us space in which to live and learn. Now we can give something in return.
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