What is Earth Day? Since 1970, Earth Day has been known to anyone who cares about our planet as a day of celebration and action.
Today, Earth Day is seen as both a celebration and gratitude for all the beauty that our Earth gives us. But also as a reminder that there is still so much work to be done. More importantly, Earth Day is a call to action, because positive change in our environment requires action. Only then can we protect our planet on a grand scale.
When it comes to protecting our planet, reducing or eliminating the impact of major polluters and fossil fuel companies still tops the list of priorities. But with the rise of Earth Day, there has also been a growing sense of individual responsibility that can make a significant difference on a large scale. The power of action is the goal of Earth Day: to create change by doing, not by settling for promises without a plan. That’s why everyone can get involved in protecting our planet by making an Earth Day pledge. What will your pledge be?
If you’re struggling to come up with ideas to be part of the solution, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll give you some Earth Day facts—including a brief background on how Earth Day came to be as we know it today—and Earth Day activities you can do on April 22 to make a difference. And finally, we’ll give you five Earth Day pledges you can keep in the coming year. Before you know it, you’ll be practicing more sustainable habits, setting a good example for your friends and family, and celebrating Earth Day by taking action.
More than 50 years ago, a lot of environmental organizations in the US started to join forces and gain political support for one clear message: we are destroying the earth and all its inhabitants, including ourselves, in an unsustainable way. Today, we all know that pollution, deforestation and the overuse of fossil fuels are problems, but in 1970, this was not so well known. Only the most dedicated groups were aware of these dangers and felt that the rest of the world needed to be informed as well.
Enter Senator Gaylord Nelson, inspired by the spirit of the anti-war protests of 1969 and simultaneously shocked by the impact of an oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara, California. He started the Earth Day movement as a founder, organizing a coalition of politicians and students to raise public awareness of man-made environmental threats.
The results of the first Earth Day were undeniably successful, leading to groundbreaking legislation including the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Environmental Education Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and the Clean Air Act, which were passed in 1970. The Clean Air Act in particular is considered the most important and enduring piece of legislation to come out of the Earth Day movement, as it has been amended over time to impose limits on emissions, fuel standards, ozone protection, and more. Earthjustice reports that the Clean Air Act prevented more than 200,000 premature deaths and 18 million cases of respiratory problems in children in its first 20 years.
In the years that followed the first Earth Day in 1970, legislators also passed the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act . The impact of Earth Day was clear. As the organization itself notes, "These laws have protected millions of men, women, and children from disease and death and have saved hundreds of species from extinction."
In the early 1990s, Earth Day gained support from the United Nations and became a globally recognized event—and not a moment too soon. Senator Nelson, the founder of Earth Day, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor a U.S. citizen can receive, in 1992.
Still looking for environmental pledges to keep this Earth Day? We have some ideas for you.
Almost everyone knows that trees are important to our ecosystem: they provide shelter for many animals and provide oxygen to the air. But what many people don’t know is that trees have a superpower in the fight against climate change. Trees help store carbon. As they grow, trees pull carbon dioxide out of the air and store it in the tree or in the soil around it. Carbon dioxide in the air contributes to global warming, but in the ground it has no such effect. That’s why deforestation is such a big problem. By restoring plants, excess carbon is pulled out of the air and stored in the soil. So if you want to do something that feels like a big Earth Day activity and has an impact? Plant a tree!
If you really want to make a difference for the environment, look no further than your own vehicle. It’s time to ditch that car for a day and hop on your bike instead! Not only will you save money at the gas station, but you can also reduce your weekly carbon emissions by just driving a few miles less. And if you work close by, cycling to work can actually be quicker than driving. Plus, you’ll get a great workout for your cardiovascular system too. So what are you waiting for? Time to get that bike out of the garage and make a difference for the planet!
One of the most important changes you can make on Earth Day is to reduce the use of disposable items in your daily life. Look around you and chances are you’ll see some packaging, plastic bags, or other single-use items that will only contribute to environmental pollution. Plastic grocery bags in particular are particularly harmful because they tend to blow away and end up in animal habitats, including waterways, where they can easily suffocate, trap, injure, and kill animals. Your daily grocery shopping is the perfect opportunity to adopt sustainable habits, like using reusable grocery bags.
Of course, plastic grocery bags aren’t the only plastic items you should replace. When buying fruit and vegetables, for example, you can easily use up 10-15 plastic bags. Reusable produce bags are a much better alternative (especially if they’re made from natural materials). And if you do forget your grocery bags, always opt for paper bags at the checkout – their large size makes them great for reusing, whether you use them multiple times for grocery shopping or simply use them around the house, where they work well as recyclable waste bags.
Wherever you live—by the woods or the beach, by the river or the mountains—you probably have a nearby natural area that you love. If it’s a particularly popular spot, chances are there’s litter on it. A great Earth Day pledge is to lend a hand in the cleanup—and then see how many friends you can make by volunteering.
Social media is a great tool for organizing cleanup days because you can quickly spread the word to your network and encourage them to do the same. Set a date, time, and location and identify the help and tools you think they will need. If you don’t provide equipment like trash cans and gloves, tell volunteers to bring their own.
But have a nice afternoon in nature with friends and acquaintances. And then, after you're done, you can celebrate your efforts in the beautiful area you just helped clean.
It wasn’t long ago that “stylish clothes” and “eco-friendly clothes” were polar opposites—images of scratchy hemp ponchos or bamboo rope soles probably came to mind. Times have changed. While those still have a place in some wardrobes (hemp is still a pretty amazing clothing fiber), technology has made huge strides in transforming recycled materials into comfortable, great-looking garments—to the point where it’s totally possible to turn your entire wardrobe into a closet full of sustainable styles.
There are also more sustainable alternatives for other products. As a consumer, you make the decision. And that starts with informing yourself before you buy. Make conscious choices and don't just buy products. Always look for a sustainable alternative. These products last longer, are produced in a fair way and nowadays they also look really good.
An even better choice is to go for repair or purchase a second-hand product. Because the most sustainable product is the product that does not need to be made.
The impact of Earth Day has been huge since its inception. But at the same time, it’s also clear that 1 day of action a year is not enough to turn the tide on a global scale. Caring for the Earth requires a daily commitment. While some of the Earth Day actions require a big commitment, the key to caring for the planet and the environment on a daily basis is to develop small, repeatable habits that reduce your carbon footprint.
Single-use plastics are a huge threat to the environment. They pollute landfills, suffocate wildlife, and produce harmful substances that pollute soil, water, and air. But fortunately, there are simple changes we can all make in our daily lives to reduce their impact on the environment.
An easy and practical change you can make today is to invest in a high-quality water bottle made from 90% post-consumer recycled steel. Not only are they more hygienic, sturdier and more stylish than plastic, they’re also much better for the environment. Stainless steel can be infinitely recycled, and post-consumer stainless steel has the added benefit of diverting even more material from landfill by being repurposed with far less energy use than making a new bottle.
At Klean Kanteen, we transitioned to certified 90% post-consumer recycled steel in January 2022 and by 2023, 95% of our products will be made from recycled steel. This has resulted in a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Klean Kanteen bottles are guaranteed to last a lifetime. We are proud of our sustainable mission to help protect the planet and hope you will join us as we strive to create a better future for all.
Whatever you decide to make your Earth Day resolution, the important thing is that you take action. Big or small, your impact is part of a larger effort to protect the environment. Whether you set aside an affordable budget to support tree planting throughout the year or you want to get your hands dirty during a day of beach cleanup, your contributions on Earth Day are a step toward preserving the only home we have.
Klean Kanteen is a family business that prioritizes the well-being of people and the planet. As a result, we must We are not accountable to shareholders. We are free to make choices based on our values.
