April is Earth Month! An entire month dedicated to learning about and protecting the amazing planet that we live on. April also contains Earth Day on the 22nd and Arbor Day, which takes place on the last Friday in April. This year it is on the 25th. Earth Day was first suggested by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970 and has since grown to be an annual event that includes over one billion people in 193 countries. Nelson saw the need for an environmental movement after Rachel Carson’s book, Silent Spring, gained attention, the Earthrise NASA photograph was released, the Santa Barbara Oil Spill happened, and the polluted Cuyahoga River caught fire. Arbor Day originated in Nebraska in 1872 before going national in 1895.
The Earth is unique. It is the only planet in our solar system that is capable of sustaining life as we know it. From the blue whale to tiny bacteria, everything living on this planet shares the light and life-giving properties of our sun. And we take it for granted. Our planet is going through changes and fast. Yes, we have had warmer temperatures than these before, but those shifts in temperature were gradual, and the plants had time to adapt and evolve. In the past, when monumental climate change happened quickly, it had hugely detrimental effects. Like mass extinctions. (Ask the dinosaurs.) What we are seeing today is just that. The climate is shifting faster than it should. And all evidence says that humans have contributed to it to a significant extent.
Our planet is sick. And she is reacting just like us when we’re sick. She has fevers and chills, and she’s trying to shake off an infection. The extreme weather is only going to get worse. We are damaging the air, water, and land she has provided for us and has protected us from the worst of nature’s chaos. But if we don’t do something, she won’t be able to protect us and will turn on us. The Earth needs to heal. And she needs our help to do that. It’s not too late, we can still change the future. We can still save our future. Our planet depends on us altering the way we live as a species. We need to educate ourselves and others through credible, scientific sources. We need to advocate for ourselves and those who can’t speak for themselves. And we need to act in the best interest of our planet. Change is in our power. As the Lorax says, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
Challenge of the Month Be an Earth Advocate
Being an advocate isn’t just about making your voice heard. It’s about leading through action, being informed, sharing your progress, and being able to speak up for those that can’t speak for themselves. This month, do what you can to celebrate Earth Month. Educate, Advocate, and Act on behalf of and for the Earth. Share what you do with others and invite them to join along or even make it a competition.
Bonus Challenge: Do something extra for Earth Day (Tuesday, April 22) and Arbor Day (Friday, April 25).