Resources for Earth Day 2021

As written and published for AquaGrove (March 31, 2021) by Solovei Consulting, Inc. | Author: Erika S. Carruth

Earth Day is just a few weeks away (April 22, 2021), and there are so many ways to celebrate and participate in this global event.  This year, EarthDay.org invites everyone to join thousands of organizations as they come together for “Three Days of Climate Action” which will take place April 20-22, 2021.

As posted on their website, EARTHDAY.ORG along with Education International, Hip Hop Caucus, and Earth Uprising are organizing three separate parallel climate action summits on April 20 and 21 ahead of the Biden Administration’s global leaders’ climate summit. On Earth Day, April 22, global activists, international leaders, and influencers will get together for the second-annual multi-hour Earth Day Live.

The parallel summits are focused on climate literacy, environmental justice, and a broad range of youth-led climate-focused issues. Earth Week will also bring thousands of groups and millions of voices together to stand up for climate action and bring awareness to humanity’s greatest existential threat. For more information on the schedule and details of speakers and activities for each day, check out their latest press release.

Ready to get your Earth Day efforts started now? No problem – EarthDay.org has more than 50 ways that you can get started on benefiting the planet and making a positive difference today.  Some of those ways include:

  1. Become a Volunteer – Here’s your chance to learn more about volunteering with EarthDay.org, as well as participating in their various local and global initiatives.
  2. Nix the Snail Mail – Unsubscribe to catalogs.  There are numerous services available for removing catalogs from your mailbox, including catalogchoice.org and dmachoice.org
  3. Get Outside – Enjoy the great outdoors? Then, it is easy to contribute to Earth Day by picking up trash while you enjoy your favorite outdoor activities.  You may choose to support and list your efforts as part of the Great Global Cleanup. In just one “click” you can add your clean up to the map.
  4. Join Meatless Mondays – Your diet has an impact on the environment.  Learn more about Meatless Mondays, and get started with some easy plant-based recipes. 
  5. Calculate your Foodprint – This one is especially fun for students and can be an eye-opening experience for anyone.  You’ve most likely heard of tracking your carbon footprint, but have you heard of your foodprint?  It may surprise you to learn the impact that meals have on the planet.  Learn more by checking out some of the foodprint calculators listed by EarthDay.org.
  6. Become a Scientist (sort of) – With the Global Earth Challenge app, anyone can be a citizen scientist! The initiative helps monitor and mitigate threats to environmental and human health. Simply download the app and collect environmental data near you – It’s really that easy!
  7. Calculate Your Carbon Footprint – Calculate your personal carbon footprint and make changes to reduce it — Just visit Carbonfootprint.com to get started.
  8. Ditch the Bag – Pass on the plastic bag offered in stores and bring your own bag. Join others and pledge to use a reusable grocery bag and log it as an “Act of Green”.
  9. Launch a “Teach-in” – Teach-ins play an important role in providing communities with the knowledge needed to advocate for a cleaner, more secure future. Plan an effective teach-in that will bring your community together and take steps to live more sustainably. If you are a school or nonprofit organization, contact AquaGrove to learn about programs on Sustainability that are available for both virtual (online) and live presentations.
  10. Reduce the Waste – Combat food waste by composting! Learn how you can make a difference right in your own backyard. 
  11. Invite Others to Eat Green – Encourage your school, company or organization to serve more plant-based meal options and to educate students or employees about the impacts of animal agriculture on our food system.
  12. Use Education Resources – Calling all educators! Incorporate EARTHDAY.ORG’s environmental education resources into your classroom. Explore the possibilities and plan a lesson.
  13. Use the Higher Education Toolkit – This resource allows you to help monitor some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges; simply integrate the Global Earth Challenge citizen science app into higher education curriculum and campus activities. Explore how you can incorporate the Global Earth Challenge app into your syllabus, your club, society, or campus community.
  14. Go Organic – Try growing your own organic garden. If you don’t have the land space or simply want to have the most sustainable garden possible, then look into alternative methods such as aquaponics.

For more Earth Day resources and to access the full listing of ways to get started early, visit their tips page.  To get involved and gain more details about Earth Day 2021 activities and events, please visit the official Earth Day website.