Earth Day is a Call to Action

Written by Erin Bell, Communitopia Vice President

2021 marks 51 years since the first Earth Day. Near and far, people spend this day honoring our beautiful planet in a variety of ways, like planting a tree or going on hikes. Others pick up litter and plastic in their communities. Some raise funds or spread awareness for causes they care about. Earth Day is a wonderful force of good that unifies citizens and inspires efforts across the globe.

But that’s not really what Earth Day is about--at least not entirely. It’s much more than a “celebration” of our planet.

It started as a protest in 1970—multiple, massive, coordinated protests all across the nation.  Inspired by the student anti-war movement, Earth Day 1970 galvanized politicians, students, smaller independent environmental groups, and citizens at large to unite against the environmental degradation that had thus far gone entirely unchecked. After decades of industrial development, the effects were starting to mount and people could no longer turn a blind eye. Oil spills, unmitigated air and water pollution from factories, pesticides, wildlife extinction…for the first time ever, people rallied behind these causes and demanded change.

And the most amazing part? It worked. The official website for Earth Day writes, “Earth Day 1970 achieved a rare political alignment, enlisting support from Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, urban dwellers and farmers, business and labor leaders.” 

It set the United States (and eventually the entire globe) down a path of environmental consciousness that we still walk today. Within months, the United States launched the Environmental Protection Agency, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Clean Air Act, and a number of other unprecedented legislative acts aimed at protecting our environment.

Earth Day 1970 was objective-driven, fueled by both disapproval and hope, and borne of necessity. Today, the circumstances are the same, and the stakes are higher.

The Earth Day Network (the coalition of scientists, advocates, leaders, and experts that oversee Earth Day) has specifically identified climate change as the most urgent and dangerous issue we face as a human population. And in recent years, Earth Day’s efforts and outreach have been specifically tied to the fight against global warming. 

As we prepare to honor our beautiful planet this Earth Day, let’s reflect on Earth Day 1970 and remember that Earth Day is not something to “celebrate.” Rather, it is a call to action. We need to examine the role we play within the global ecosystem, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant that role is. We need to appeal to our leaders and legislators to enact climate friendly policy. We need widespread, grassroots involvement. We need to be coordinated in our efforts to stop global warming. 

Since its inception 51 years ago, Earth Day has become the largest non-religious observance across the world. This tremendous support base translates to power. Collectively, we can make things happen.

The stakes are truly as high as they have ever been.