We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, and the theme this year is climate change. The movement for a more sustainable future and eco-friendly practices has gained traction in recent years, however we continue to face large challenges in placing effective environmental laws and enforcing sustainable habits. While we continue to raise our voice against the global impact of irresponsible environmental policies, the social pressure to live in luxury and excess, and a lack of consciousness to preserve our resources for future generations, we’re choosing to celebrate today and highlight the positives of doing our part and being a proactive and environmentally conscious citizen.
I believe that we benefit greatly from learning the different ways earth serves us, finding value at an early age, and learning how we can play a part in preserving our resources. Schools that partner with CalRecycle by participating in the Environment Initiative Curriculum teach their K-12 students how the earth and its resources provide our daily essentials such as food and water. They take students through a curriculum focused on teaching at an early age where food comes from (no, it’s doesn’t magically appear in the supermarket or your fridge), the role producers and consumers play in the economy, how compost is made and decomposition occurs, and later they tackle genetic engineering. Studies completed by the North American Association for Environmental Education also found that school gardens provided benefits such as “cognitive functioning, physical activity, and improved cooperation among youth…enhanced science learning, particularly among elementary-aged children from low-income communities.” I mean, who doesn’t love getting a workout in while making sure our brain is part of the fun?
One of my happy places is simply sitting in nature, enjoying the breeze, meditating, and hearing the birds and squirrels rustling the leaves. I use this time to take deep breathes and often times enjoy a beautiful sunset, try to spot a constellation, and see the different phases of the moon. Admiring nature allows us to step away from the daily chores and tasks of our life and instead give us the liberty to simply breathe without any expectations. It’s often times a way to reflect and realize that there are bigger forces than us out there and that you are not alone. Just take a moment and imagine how many people are looking at the same moon and where in the world they may be. It’s a humbling and freeing experience to realize that our lives are so much more than the pressures we place on ourselves and each day is an opportunity to write our story from a different perspective.
The question I have for you, how are you celebrating Earth Day this year and how has our planet helped you today? Make sure to take a moment for yourself to enjoy the sounds outside and remember that you are not alone, we all feel the heat from the same sun and we all make wishes on a falling star from time to time. Wishing all the best and sharing a little reminder to reduce, recycle, and safely dispose of your e-waste and household goods. As previously listed, check out CalRecycle for additional resources on proper disposal.
“I’d like to get away from earth awhile
And then come back to it and begin over.
May no fate willfully misunderstand me
And half grant what I wish and snatch me away
Not to return. Earth’s the right place for love:
I don’t know where it’s likely to go better.”
Excerpt from Birches – a poem by Robert Frost