This year marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and Earth Month, a movement in which citizens from every corner of the globe join together in a united call to address our climate change crisis. It’s a day that has historically manifested in protests, marches and rallies where people take to the streets to demand action from world leaders. But Earth Day will look a little different this year.
I’ve spent past Earth Days getting outside, from exercising my voice rallying at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to literally exercising with a daylong hike out of Rocky Mountain National Park. While Earth Day is a global call to arms, it’s also a day to reflect on a personal level and enjoy what mother nature has to offer.
There won’t be any marches or rallies this year, and National Parks are closed. Most of the world will spend April 22nd sheltering in place.
Despite this strange (but temporary) new normal, there are a number of things we can continue to do on a daily basis to pay tribute to Earth Day and join the fight against climate change — whether you live in Boulder, Colorado or anywhere else in the world:
Vote by Mail… and With Your Wallet
Continue participating in local and general elections through mail-in votes or “no excuse” absentee ballots. Call your representative if this isn’t an option for you. Make a plan for voting day by visiting Protect Our Winter’s Election Center.
You can also vote with your dollar by supporting Certified B Corporations. B Corps are organizations that use their business as a force for good — supporting B Corps helps them accomplish their missions and sustainability efforts. Read our blog about celebrating B Corp Month during the time of COVID-19 to learn more.
Teach Your Kids About the Earth and Earth Day
Finding resources and keeping kiddos engaged can be tough, especially when homeschooling is the new normal and children and parents alike have more questions than ever. Head to UCAR’s Center for Science Education to access K-12 resources that span from atmospheric weather modeling to videos on Arctic and Antarctic sea ice changes.
Reduce Electricity Usage
Turn off lights, replace bulbs with LED alternatives and unplug electronics when not in use. Our friends at Rocky Mountain Institute help individuals and communities transition to a low-carbon electricity system to reduce fossil fuel consumption.
Just because we can’t physically stand together doesn’t mean we can’t mobilize. Do your part, engage in the movement and for goodness’ sake, wash your hands! — with botanical, planet-friendly hand soap, of course.
For over 40 years, Vermilion has held steadfast in our mission to bring our creative capabilities in digital and design to amplify the efforts of purpose-driven organizations. We’ve been fortunate to partner with local and national thought-leaders on the front lines of the fight against climate change, including organizations like Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), University Center of Atmospheric Research (UCAR) and Protect Our Winters (POW).
How are you celebrating and mobilizing for Earth Day? We would love to hear from you!
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