Activate Your Earth Day
Written by Sarah Balla
Do you ever step into nature seeking solitude, only to find a quiet sense of connection to the life all around you? As the wind rustles the leaves, the ants travel across the sidewalk, and the trees stand tall around us, we are reminded that we are never truly alone. We are part of this planet, not separate from it, and our interconnectedness comes with a responsibility.
Earth Day is meant to unite people from all over the world in defence of our collective home and provides us with a chance to honour our interconnectedness. We can simultaneously show our love for our planet and each other by seeking connection, speaking up and taking action.
We’ve compiled a few ideas to get you started in activating your Earth Day!
Seeking Connection
- Go barefoot in the backyard and feel an embodied connection to the earth.
- Gather around a picnic and be sure to leave no trace.
- Connect to the colours all around you and try a shades of green/brown scavenger hunt. You can use paint samples from the hardware store as inspiration!
- Try a Spring Bird Count. Our family has a longstanding tradition of a friendly competition to spot the first robin of the year. This year, my son and I were lucky enough to be the first to hear and then spot a robin!
Speaking Up
- Declare your love for our planet in a poem, a song, or a thank-you letter to the land.
- Contact your elected official and remind them that their constituents care about the environment and ask them to take action on your behalf.
Taking Action
- Plan a plant-based meal
- Organize a community cleanup
- Listen to and learn from local Indigenous ecological wisdom and sustainable practices
- Consider limiting your use of AI
- Earth Day Tips: 50 Easy Ways to Help The Planet Every Day
Individual actions can lead to collective momentum when we organize and combine our efforts. Who can you connect with in your community to multiply your impact?