Another Earth Day has come and passed. Only 362 days until the next one! Better start getting ready now.
Yes, that was a rather cheeky comment, so I should probably state a few disclaimers before I dig any deeper. Here we go.
Disclaimer #1 – Earth Day is important in that it raises awareness of the need for collective action for environmental protection.
Disclaimer #2 – I’m grateful to all of the amazing nonprofits that host excellent events on or around Earth Day each year.
Disclaimer #3 – I was a big fan of the March for Science movement that happened on Earth Day this year. Hooray science!
Alright, with that all out of the way, I should be in the clear to say this: I don’t like Earth Day. I find that it excessively compartmentalizes and simplifies environmental issues. It incentivizes environmental box-checking (“I observed Earth Day, so that makes me green!”) and generates a lot of “noise” (i.e. organizations drown each other out when they all host events and communicate messages at the same time). It all feels a little hollow.
To me, it is entirely appropriate to give a day to Martin Luther King, Jr., American independence, veterans and laborers. Heck, each of those probably deserves more than one day. These holidays allow our country to pause and remember the sacrifices of others that have enabled our present-day liberties and opportunities. By observing these days annually, we ensure that their historical importance won’t be forgotten.
Similarly, Thanksgiving has significant historical and cultural importance. Christmas, in addition to its religious significance for Christians around the world, also resonates culturally. New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day make sense as well, as they mark the passage of time and celebrate new beginnings.
The Earth is different though. She is a constant presence in human existence, a daily experience for each of us. Without asking, she gifts us fresh water, protection from ultraviolet radiation, a regulated climate, breathable air and energy to fuel our bodies. We feel her constant gravitational embrace and marvel at her natural beauty. Remember her? How could we ever forget her?!?!
Admittedly, we have a lot of work to do in our society to integrate environmental awareness. Earth Day helps to build that awareness, and for that reason I celebrate it. To be clear (Disclaimer #4), I am not advocating that we abolish Earth Day.
The Earth is different though. She is a constant presence in human existence, a daily experience for each of us. Without asking, she gifts us fresh water, protection from ultraviolet radiation, a regulated climate, breathable air and energy to fuel our bodies. We feel her constant gravitational embrace and marvel at her natural beauty. Remember her? How could we ever forget her?!?!
Admittedly, we have a lot of work to do in our society to integrate environmental awareness. Earth Day helps to build that awareness, and for that reason I celebrate it. To be clear (Disclaimer #4), I am not advocating that we abolish Earth Day.
Rather, I am hoping that we reach a point where we don’t need an Earth Day anymore. I am working toward a future in which every person on this blue-green living planet understands all of the ways he or she depends upon natural systems, and how human actions can either help or hurt those systems. And I believe that, one day, we will get there.
In the meantime, April 22nd is Earth Day. Let’s remember that the other 364 days are too.
In the meantime, April 22nd is Earth Day. Let’s remember that the other 364 days are too.
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