Planet Earth, Our Common Ground
Earth Day is this Saturday, April 22nd. I’ll go for a walk (of course) and will also raise a toast to our fabulous planet.
Earth Day’s origins can be traced back to the 1960s when environmentalism was gaining traction in the United States. At the time, there was growing concern about the impact of pollution and other environmental issues on public health and the natural world. In 1969, Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin proposed the idea of a national day to focus on the environment and raise public awareness about environmental issues. The idea gained support from various groups, including activists, educators, and politicians, and the first Earth Day was held on April 22nd, 1970.
Now, a mere 53 years later, Earth Day is celebrated in more than 190 countries around the world, making it one of the largest civic observances in the world. According to the Earth Day Network, more than one billion people participate in Earth Day activities each year.
I love the idea of more than one billion of us participating in a day of recognition. The population of the planet is estimated at about eight billion so for one billion of us to connect around Earth Day is significant. To me, this says quite clearly that even in these fraught times of seemingly unbridgeable divides, a large number of Earth’s human inhabitants know the Earth to be our Common Ground. That’s a really good thing!
On Earth Day, one billion of us will be celebrating by:
Planting trees and gardens: Planting trees and gardens is a wonderful way to celebrate Earth Day. Trees help to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which can help to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Gardens can provide habitat for pollinators and other wildlife, as well as help to reduce soil erosion. Planting trees and gardens feels like a deep honoring of our sacred planet. A lasting, living hopeful prayer.
Cleaning up litter: Many communities organize litter cleanups on Earth Day to help remove trash from public spaces. This helps to keep the environment clean and prevent litter from polluting waterways and harming wildlife. Earth Day is a great day to put on a pair of gloves, grab a garbage bag and head out for a walk. Litter out there? Probably. Pick it up, recycle it if you can and appreciate the cleaner landscape you just created.
Supporting environmental organizations: There are many organizations that work to protect the environment and promote sustainability. On Earth Day, many people choose to donate to these organizations or volunteer their time to support their efforts. Here’s two that I support and believe in deeply: Wren, which is a wonderful organization that offsets your carbon footprint and The Pachamama Alliance, which is an amazing organization healing us and our planet. Check them both out and see what resonates for you.
Participating in educational events: Many schools, museums, and other organizations hold educational events on Earth Day to teach people about environmental issues and encourage them to take action to protect the planet. And there are loads of online options as well.
Advocating for policy change: Earth Day is also a time when many people advocate for policy changes that can help to protect the environment. This can include lobbying elected officials to support environmental legislation or participating in public demonstrations to raise awareness about environmental issues.
Earth Day is a mission critical global event that helps to raise awareness about environmental issues and encourages people to take action to protect the planet—our Common Ground. It has grown from a small grassroots event in the United States to a worldwide celebration with millions of participants. By planting trees, cleaning up litter, supporting environmental organizations, participating in educational events, and advocating for policy change, we can make a difference and help to create a more sustainable future for all.
And of course, Earth Day is the perfect day to go for a walk!