On April 22,1970, an estimated 20 million people participated in rallies nationwide to celebrate the very first Earth Day. Fifty years later, we mark this important anniversary with a list of 10 ways to recognize this occasion.
COVID-19 has drastically changed how we celebrate Earth Day in 2020. As we turn our energy and focus to the most vulnerable in our communities and the people who care for us, some of our suggestions look a little different than what would appear on a normal Earth Day list. This is an opportunity to acknowledge and explore how our communities, our health, and our environment are intrinsically linked.
#10 Complete the 2020 Census
Complete the 2020 Census to ensure funding for important programs in your community! The results of the 2020 Census will help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into communities every year for the next decade. Responses to the census will inform funding for important environmental programs like the Emergency Watershed Protection Program, Wildlife Restoration Program, Hazardous Waste Management State Program Program, and Water Pollution Control grants.
#9 Learn about Environmental Justice!
The COVID-19 Coronavirus crisis highlights how public health issues are directly related to social and environmental justice and why fighting for clean water and a healthy environment is so important.
As we face this challenging crisis and prepare for Earth Day, take the time to read about environmental justice and learn more about frontline community groups tackling issues of environmental justice in Illinois including:
Chicago area
People for Community Recovery
Blacks in Green
Little Village Environmental Justice Organization
Clean Power Lake County
Downstate
Central Illinois Healthy Community Alliance in Peoria
Illinois People’s Action in Bloomington-Normal
Champaign County Healthcare Consumers in Champaign
Metro East Green Alliance and United Congregations of Metro East in the Metro East
Carbondale Spring in Carbondale.
#8 Share an Earth Day Story
Share an Earth Day Story with us! Any 50th anniversary deserves time for memories and reflection, and Earth Day’s 50th is no different. Were you there for the first Earth Day? Email your stories and pictures to jkohmstedt@prairierivers.org.
#7 Sign up for “Community Solar”
Sign up for a “Community Solar” project! We wrote about Community Solar shortly after the program was created by Illinois’ Future Energy Jobs Act. Community Solar allows community members who may not have an opportunity for a solar project on their property, such as renters and those with shaded roofs or limited incomes, to obtain the cost savings and environmental benefits of solar by purchasing a subscription in an off-site solar project.
We’ve updated our Community Solar blog post with information about Illinois’ emerging Community Solar farms and subscription opportunities. Additionally, our partners at the Citizens Utility Board have blogged about the differences between two community solar offers in Illinois, Nexamp and Clearway. They also shared information about Arcadia Power’s recent mailings and online advertisements and explained why what Arcadia is offering is not a true community solar opportunity.
#6 Strengthen Community-Based Food Systems
Support your local food system and sign up for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) with a local farm or shop at your local Farmers’ Market or Food Cooperative. Not sure how to find a CSA in your area, contact these organizations for more information: Illinois Buy Fresh Buy Local, Illinois Market Maker, The Land Connection, Food Works, and Illinois Stewardship Alliance.
#5 Hang Planet Earth in Your Window
Hang a Planet Earth in your window to celebrate the 50th Earth Day this April 22nd! We were inspired by the “bear hunts” and “heart hunters” that have motivated many of us to spread joy and love by putting teddy bears and cut out hearts in our windows. Print a planet earth, color your own, or get creative in how you display the Earth in your window!
Earth Day Action Network has also suggested that folks put an Earth Day sign in their window. They’ve even come up with some inspiration with example sign ideas like “Biodiversity Or Bust” and “The climate’s changing; Why aren’t we?”
#4 Help a Neighbor
On a normal Earth Day we might suggest you help a neighbor pick up trash or plant a tree in your neighborhood. Those are still great suggestions if done at a safe distance, but during this difficult time we can prioritize helping our neighbors by donating to our local food banks or service organizations, volunteering to help deliver food to those in need, or finding ways to “help the helpers.”
#3 Participate in a Virtual Earth Day Event
The virtual nature of this year’s Earth Day has broken down the geographic barriers that would have otherwise kept folks across the state from coming together for events on and around Earth Day. We encourage folks to check out what is going on all across Illinois and ask your neighbors and friends to join in! We have compiled a list of activities and actions planned in Illinois and will include links to events in the comments.
-The Chicago Sunrise Movement and partners will host a Chicago Earth Day Town Hall from 12-1pm.
-In Champaign-Urbana, area partners are calling on residents to emerge from their homes on Earth Day to stand in solidarity from 12-12:15pm.
✊In Carbondale their annual “All Species Puppet Parade” is going virtual in addition to a Virtual Earth Day Rally from 1-4pm.
☀️An April calendar prepared by Chicago groups can be found at ChicagoEarthDay50.org
-City of Evanston’s “Earth Week” will include daily environmental-themed events and activities.
-Join Prairie Rivers Network by hanging a Planet Earth or Earth Day sign in your window!
✊IL Youth Climate Movement Earth Day Event at 6pm. Details TBD.
-Check with your local park district or environmental organization for opportunities to join in virtual events this Earth Day.
#2 Recognize Individual Responsibility and Collective Political Action
There’s a long-running debate among environmentalists about how best to achieve the change we want to see in the world. Is it effective to encourage individuals to change their personal behaviors, e.g. “Take public transportation and eat less meat.” Or should we focus less on individual behavior and more on systemic change achieved through reforms to law and policy such that there would be powerful economic and legal incentives for EVERYONE, including powerful corporations, to protect the planet.
But this is a false choice. We each have an opportunity to decrease our individual footprint on this planet, live true to our convictions, and inspire others to do the same. The 50th Earth Day is a powerful reminder of the importance and power of collective action to influence real change.
What should we do? Plant a garden, reduce plastic waste in your home, order the veggie burger AND call your legislator, hit the campaign trail, join us at the next Climate March or Lobby Day, and Vote for the Earth on November 3rd!
#1 Support a Local Environmental Organization
Become a member of Prairie Rivers Network and help us continue our work to protect water, heal land, and inspire change.
Thank you for helping us celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day!
We are so excited to bring you this list of 10 things you, your family, and your community can do to recognize the importance of Planet Earth every day.
