It’s April 22nd and that means it’s National Earth Day!

National Earth Day promotes different ways that we can focus on in order to protect and save the Earth.

In 1969, the concept of Earth Day was established at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco. On March 21, 1970, a sanctioned Proclamation was signed by Secretary General U Thant at the United Nations. A month later, on April 22, 1970, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day. The date was chosen to maximize participation on college campuses. The observance became a global event in 1990 and hasn’t stopped since, and today it is a global recognition of support for environmental protection and celebrated in 141 countries.

World leaders chose Earth Day 2016 to sign the landmark Paris Agreement to fight global warming as a worldwide effort.

Since its inception, the organizers promote events educating the public about a variety of subjects including:

  • Decreasing air pollution
  • Decreasing water pollution
  • Managing erosion
  • Promote more effective recycling
  • Composting
  • Increasing the use of renewable fuels
  • Reducing carbon footprints where possible
  • Developing more fuel efficient cars
  • Protecting rain forests

As citizens of the world, we can work together to protect our amazing planet, its creatures and its habitats.

How can we celebrate #NationalEarthDay? This year we’re in the throes of the coronavirus pandemic, so it may take getting creative to celebrate this year and engaging in Earth Day activities in your area, but here are a few suggestions:

  • Support and use recycling programs in your community.
  • Visit a local park in Osceola County to better understand the beauty  that exists in your community
  • Enjoy experiences like Wild Florida, and encounter animals and nature up close and personal
  • Volunteer to clean up local parks and streets on clean up days.
  • Support and frequent green businesses.
  • Plant trees or other plant life, or start a garden.
  • Use re-usable products versus disposable.
  • Repurpose items that have outworn their use.
  • Shop secondhand and thrift stores for gently used items — once they reopen.
  • Use energy-efficient appliances or line dry your clothes.
  • Walk or ride your bike to work if possible — if you are an essential worker.
  • Carpool or make one trip instead of multiple trips for shopping.
  • Encourage your favorite products to reduce packaging.

So, let’s celebrate Earth Day together, and keep our beautiful earth… beautiful forever!