Earth Day 2024

What is Earth Day?

Earth Day is an annual event held on April 22nd across the globe to show support for environmental protection. Earth Day began in 1970 as a way to raise environmental awareness, and marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement.

Why is Earth Day important?

Earth Day is an opportunity to pause and reflect on the environmental challenges we face, to raise awareness and encourage people to take action to protect our planet. But it's also a day to celebrate the beauty and wonder of our planet, along with our role to protect it.

This year's Earth Day theme: Planet vs. Plastics

This year's Earth Day theme, 'Planet vs. Plastics' is particularly relevant. With calls to advocate for widespread awareness on the health risk of plastics, rapidly phase out all single use plastics, urgently push for a strong UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution, and demand an end to fast fashion. Increasing awareness is the first step toward making more informed decisions in our lives.

Learn more about the impact of plastic on the environment

How can I get involved?

There are many ways you can get involved in Earth Day! You can participate in local litter pick and beach clean events, plant trees, educate yourself on environmental issues, or simply commit to making small changes in your daily life to reduce your environmental impact.A Billion Acts of Green are already happening across the planet - hjead over to EarthDay.Org for toolkits, calculators and other resources to help you cut plastic use and create a healthier world. You can also download the free toolkit for a really comprehensive set of actions you can take or learn about.

Change is what is needed, and change starts with action. Better yet, an action that affects the world around you 🌍

From students in classrooms to organisers in their communities to officials in government there are ways for anyone from any background to make a difference. What each of us does, and how we do it, has a huge ripple effect on our ecosystems, and on the pace of corporate and government action.

What else can WE do?

We are responsible for holding business, governments, and others accountable and to support their efforts when they get it right.
How can we do that? Some of the actions we can take include:

The End Plastic Pollution campaign draws attention to the harmful effects of plastic in our environment and is just one of the focuses for Earth Day on April 22nd. So support the Plastics Treaty.
Cut down on your plastic consumption. If you want to swap to reusables or plastic free, check out alternatives here.

Other actions we can take include:

Reject Fast Fashion
Plant a forest with the Canopy Project
Join a Cleanup
Use your vote
Use your voice - petition for change
Use your ££ - only buy from ethical and sustainable brands

Start small and go big — or start big and stay big.

Either way, keep taking action and join the movement to change the world.
As Individual citizens, voters, as watchdogs, and as consumers – we have the simple yet effective power to make our voices heard.

Be the change you want to see in the world and remember - It’s not a day — it’s a movement 💚

More Information

For more information about environmental issues from a dedicated 'Eco Team' sign up to our newsletter and check out our Knowledge Hub. The knowledge hub is full of practical Green Guides as well as the Journal and a bank of useful eco resources.

Try the "GREEN GUIDE TO SAVING MONEY AND THE PLANET 2024" for a huge 100+ tips on being more eco whilst saving money. It's very useful during the cost of living crisis!

Kate