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Spring brings us a rejuvenation from the cold, dreary winter months. One of the things we celebrate is Earth Day, a worldwide reminder that we must all help the Earth in whatever ways we can to reduce climate change and global warming. Earth Day is the perfect opportunity for teaching kids about climate change. You can use one of the many Earth Day celebrations or choose to do you own, pandemic-safe, Earth Day activities.
Earth day facts: Why it is important in 2021
When you stop and look at what is happening in the world, it’s hard to not see that global warming is taking its toll. Arctic ice is shrinking and ocean heat content is increasing. The air temperature over the ocean is slowly increasing leading to more significant storms each year. Sea levels are risking and the temperature is increasing. These are all signs of global warming.
Beyond global warming, pollution affects wildlife and there are more endangered species than ever. We all play a part in the global problems and we all can do our part to minimize it and help keep the Earth healthy. This is why Earth Day is important; it reminds us that we must do our part before it’s too late and climate change destroys our home planet.
Teaching kids about earth day
More than likely, your child’s school has a set of activities set for Earth Day. This may involve planting one or more trees, having a litter cleanup, and learning about reducing fossil fuel use. It’s important to carry these lessons on at home on Earth Day to show your child how small things around the house can make impactful changes on the Earth.
Review what goes in recycle bins versus trash bins or green bins. Explain why there are three different bins to use and how the waste in each is either reused, recycled, or otherwise disposed of. Explaining to kids that you want to keep the trash bin with as little in there as possible because that means you are not creating a lot of waste.
There are a lot of small things you can teach your child to do at home that reduce waste. “When I explain Earth Day to my children, I say that it’s one day a year when the whole world pays close attention to the health of the planet,” Helene Berkowitz, mom of four daughters, told Mom.com.
“I say that each of us in our family can do small things to make a difference, whether that's turning off the lights in our room when we leave it, making sure to turn off the faucet when it isn't being used so we don't keep water running unnecessarily, or using reusable water bottles instead of buying plastic ones," Berkowitz continued. "I emphasize that making an impact on our environment doesn't have to be a massive effort; every little bit helps.”
And she’s right, every little bit helps.
Celebrating Earth Day in 2021
Celebrating Earth Day in 2021 may be a little more difficult than usual thanks to the pandemic, meaning you might not want to go to that overly crowded concert raising money for sustainability. If you do attend an event, keep to social distancing requirements and be sure to wear a mask. Around the world, there will still be some major events to celebrate and promote green living:
- The Year the Earth Changed: This is a narrated special by David Attenbrough that talks about how the world pandemic and lockdowns helped the environment and what we can learn for the future. This will be debuted on Apple TV Plus on April 16, 2021.
- National Geographic’s Earth Day Eve: This is a virtual party on April 21st at 8:30 p.m. EST with concert performances and key presenters such as Dr. Jane Goodall helping us better understand our role in environmental issues.
- Earth Day Live: Restore Our Earth: The virutal summit that is the cornerstone event starting on April 20th with a yought summit, expanding to a global education summit on April 21st, and filling April 22nd with people from many fields showing you ways to be part of the change and help fix the earth before it’s too late.
If you do go out and participate, make sure that you come home and follow through on your part. Shannon Kenny is a sustainability consultant who recommends reducing meat consumption and reducing food waste.
"It's good to think of meat, and in particular beef, as a delicacy rather than a staple at every meal," she told Mom.com. "And in terms of the food you buy and cook, try to reduce your food waste as much as possible by getting creative with the leftovers in your fridge, storing your food properly so it doesn't go bad, and composting any food scraps you do have.” It’s true that the more food we create, the more we contribute to climate change and this is completely in our control.
