Earth Day, 50 Years Later

I write a weekly Eco-Living piece for our local newspaper. Normally, I don't post these in LinkedIn, but I'm making an exception today.

Today is the 50th Anniversary of World Earth Day, previously known as Earth Day. Fifty years ago today, 20 million Americans, 10% of the American population at the time, took to the streets to protest environmental destruction and demand that individuals, companies, and governments find a better way. 

Since that day, environmental awareness has risen, particularly in recent years, and reached all corners of the globe. However, harmful emissions and our consumer and waste habits have far outpaced positive environmental changes since that first protest. 

50 years later we have; 

-A human population of ill health due to overconsumption of nutrient-poor food, even though more people than ever before in human history have access to high quality, diverse, fresh, and nutrient-rich food. 

-Enormous food waste, both before and after market

-Rapacious consumption of products that do not provide long-term positive value

-Disposable, one-use economy mindset

-Massive habitat destruction of plants and wildlife

-Massive Species Extinction; scientists believe we are now in the planet’s 6th Mass Extinction, which is caused entirely by human behaviour. 

Fifty years later, what would it take to show us a different way? What would it take to drive change and create a more healthy human population and planet?

Sadly, a global pandemic. COVID-19 lockdown measures have dramatically brought down harmful emissions and pollution across all continents, but it’s come at the cost of life, health- both physical and mental, financial burden to many, and the most considerable strain on many global healthcare systems since World War II. 

It’s not an ideal wake up call. But from this, we can learn. There are positives to be gleaned during this time. Behaviours we are doing now, that if continued, will create healthier communities, reduce species extinction, and replenish wildlife, lands, and water systems.

OUTDOORS:

When restricted, as we are in the UK, to only one outing a day for exercise, we don’t waste it. We make full use of that one outing, and we luxuriate in every aspect of it. Outdoor activity is a proven method to increase mental and physical health. 

CONSUMPTION:

We realise we can live with buying less. A lot less. Buying necessities and avoiding excess or short-lived novelty products and clothing. Purchasing based upon the long-term impact on humans and the planet versus the short-term "high" of acquiring something new. Recognising "needs" from "wants."

FOOD WASTE & NUTRITION:

Eating nutrient-rich foods, such as fresh or minimally prepared produce, whole grains, beans and legumes, provides enormous health benefits over fibre-stripped grains, bread, deep-fried foods, and sugar-laden treats and beverages. 

Locally sourced produce, meat, seafood, eggs, and dairy often equate to higher nutritional quality due to freshness and require less petrol for transport and possibly less packaging. Buying local also equates to a more significant percentage of the money spent staying and benefitting the local economy than if purchased at a large chain-business.

Root-to-stem and head-to-tail food philosophy reduces food waste and relieves the burden on our soil and water use. Meal planning is an excellent tool to avoid food (and financial) waste.

The food and drink choices we make have a direct impact upon our physical health, directly influencing the strain we place upon our healthcare systems as well as our families and communities. 

REUSE, REPAIR, TAKE CARE

Many of us are taking better care of everything from clothing, to tech equipment, toys, and gardening containers, since we cannot currently venture out to buy more due to COVID-19 restrictions or we have uncertain income during this time. 

Many of these behaviours we can continue when restrictions lift. We can learn from this. We can become more mindful of our choices. We can proactively take into our future these positive aspects and make a difference on World Earth Day 2021, 2022, 2023 and beyond.