Today (April 22nd, 2025) marks the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. It has grown into a global event celebrated by over one billion people. Earth Day is an important day to raise awareness and take action for a multitude of environmental issues. These can include pollution, biodiversity loss, sustainability resources, or even climate change.
EarthDay.org has designed this year’s theme as “Our Power, Our Planet,” to bring attention to renewable and responsible energy usage. Switching to renewable energy can seem quite daunting. Many individuals believe they are powerless compared to large corporations, but the average person can contribute in many ways! Check out the sections below to learn more.
Raising Awareness
Speaking to others about the importance and benefits of transitioning to renewable energy is important. There are several ways that you can achieve this:
- Have conversations with your friends and family.
- Post or repost informative, accurate content on social media platforms.
- Express concerns to your local politicians (e.g., Members of Parliament aka MPs) and/or attend town hall meetings.
- Join an organization (e.g., non-profit) committed to raising awareness on environmental issues.
- Attend or host rallies, fundraisers and other awareness initiatives.
There is plenty of important information that you could share. For example, one major issue that we are facing today is climate change. One of the key drivers of this issue is the emission of fossil fuels. Transitioning away from fossil fuels to cleaner energy like solar or wind power would reduce greenhouse gas emissions.1 This could help us to avoid some of the extreme climate change outcomes of maintaining the status quo.1 Furthermore, reducing fossil fuel usage would lessen air pollution.2,3 This would positively impact human health, reducing the incidence of respiratory disease and improving mental health.2,3
Lifestyle Changes
There are several small changes with big impacts that you can make in your home. We can all make responsible choices to reduce energy usage and incorporate renewable energy into our lives. These lifestyle changes not only reduce our carbon footprints but will likely save you money on your electricity bill.
Here are some examples of easy changes that you can make:4
- Turn off the lights and unplug electronics when not in use.
- Use natural light during the daytime instead of electric lights.
- Reduce your use of heating and cooling systems where possible (e.g., furnaces, air conditioners, etc.).
- For example, wear warmer clothes in the winter instead of turning up the thermostat. You can also increase ventilation in the summer to rely less on air conditioning.
- Decrease the temperature and amount of time spent in the shower.
Transitioning to the use of renewable energy is sometimes more difficult than reducing energy consumption. Nonetheless, you can achieve this in several different ways. One of the most common types of renewable energy used in homes is solar power. You can set up solar panels to power different home appliances based on how much energy you can generate. Even if you can’t set up solar panels, many devices come in pre-made, solar-powered versions. For example, this includes outdoor decorating lights, security lights, and security cameras.
What Else Can We Help on Earth Day?
Of course, Earth Day is not just about energy. Even though it is this year’s official theme there are other ways you can help the environment. Here are some other ways that you can help out this Earth Day:
- Clean up litter in your community. Do a beach cleanup if you live near one!
- Gather recyclable items and bring them to a facility for processing.
- Learn more about the environment: conduct online research or visit the library. Better yet, go outside and explore!
Becoming familiar with plants and animals around you is incredibly important for conservation. Gaining an appreciation for and experiencing nature helps us to understand the threats faced by organisms and how to help. It can also lead to some pretty amazing encounters, even in your own backyard!
© Rebecca Wiseman
Looking Forward
Your journey in helping the environment doesn’t have to end on Earth Day. There are plenty of long-term projects that you can pursue depending on your interests.
- With summer approaching, consider one of the following sustainable practices:
- Composting (check out this infographic on composting to learn more).
- Planting native flowers to help pollinators
- Grow your own fruits and vegetables.
- Consider sustainable travel options like walking, biking or using public transportation.
- Use reusable bags, straws, containers, and bottles.
- Support your local farmers: purchase some of your groceries directly from them.
Regardless of what you choose, small choices can have big impacts when we all work together and do our part!
References
1. Government of Canada. (2018). Scenarios and climate models. Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/climate-change/canadia n-centre-climate-services/basics/scenario-models.html
2. Dominski, F., Branco, J., Buonanno, G., et al. (2021). Effects of air pollution on health: A mapping review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Environmental Research 201: 111487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.111487
3. Kim, Y., Manley, J., Radoias, V. (2020). Air pollution and long term mental health. Atmosphere 11(12): 1355. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11121355
4. Government of Ontario. (2023). How to use less electricity at home. Ontario.ca. https://www.ontario.ca/page/how-use-less-electricity-home
About the Author
Rebecca is a graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a concentration in Applied Ecology and Conservation. Outside of academics she is also an avid birder and does wildlife photography.
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