Go Green – and Get Social!

This year an estimated one billion people in 193 countries are expected to participate in Earth Day on April 22 – so there are many chances to work with others to help the planet.

First held April 22, 1970, each Earth Day devotes special attention to a theme: an important area of earthly protection and sustainability. This year’s theme? “Planet vs. Plastics.” 

Besides the years of disturbing photographs of plastic waste in our oceans, waterways, rivers, parks and more, there’s also the plastic pollution we don’t see – the microplastics accumulating in the air with breathe and the products we consume. (Read Senior Planet’s post on Plastics: the Hidden Food Additive here.)

While for years we’ve been individually doing our part to reduce our use of plastics, this is the year for opportunities worldwide to join the movement to slash plastics use, connect with like-minded people — and be social!

Earth Day: Where to start

Earth Day organizers: The best place to start is with EarthDay organizers.  Their interactive Global Event Map will help you find a local cleanup activity near you. The map is a bit klugey (it’s the whole world, after all!) but the grey box in the upper left corner allows you to zoom in to your city when you click the plus  (+) sign.  You can also register your own cleanup here as well.

The National Park Service: It’s no coincidence that National Park Week (4/20-4/28) coincides with Earth Day.  There are activities every day that week in national parks (list is here) and some offer volunteer opportunities.

Volunteer.gov  This is a nationwide clearinghouse for volunteer activities including climate change and cleanup.

The Nature Conservancy: This global environmental agency has locations around the world and in every U.S. state. It offers many ways for folks to get involved (link is here to search state by state.)

Get Social on Earth Day 

In addition, most likely there is a city or county park near you that could use some love – from repainting benches to new plantings to simple cleanup.  Or you could, like Sokie Lee, a Senior Planet participant, start your own event.  Get inspired by her story here.

YOUR TURN

What are you doing for Earth Day and the environment? Share your experiences here!

Nona Aguilar is an award-winning writer of numerous magazine articles and two books. She has also edited four specialty business newsletter publications. Her work has appeared in Ladies Home Journal, Redbook, Family Circle and Cosmopolitan, and in The Business Owner.