Earth day // APR 22
INTERNATIONAL MOTHER EARTH DAY
April 22, 2024
❄️ The UN General Assembly (UNGA) designated 22 April as International Mother Earth Day through resolution A/RES/63/278, adopted in 2009.
THEME
The theme for Earth Day 2024 is ▪️PLANET Vs. PLASTICS▪️, which advocates for widespread awareness of the health risks that come with the use of plastics. The theme of Planet vs. Plastics are fundamental as it unites different institutes and communities in the fight against plastics for the sake of human and planetary health.
TIPS FOR CELEBRATION IN SCHOOLS
Involve kids from your school, community, relatives, home, area....... And do any one of the following activities.
Involve youths from your school, community, college, relatives, home, area....... And do any one of the following activities.
Involve elders or old aged people from your community, relatives, home, area....... And do any one of the following activities.
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Participants can avail participation certificates undersigned by the UN designated members and acknowledged by the United Nations.
▪️Organize a school-wide swap meet
Instead of trashing old clothes and unwanted items, host a swap meet! This is a great way to reuse items and help them find new homes, rather than ending up in the landfill. This is also an opportunity for students to meet new friends while swapping items and promoting sustainability.
▪️Walk/bike to school day
Organizing a walk or bike to school day is a fun Earth Day activity because it helps to decrease traffic congestion and pollution, while also providing a perfect opportunity to incorporate physical activity into the day. Discuss the harmful effects of pollution in our environment with students and what they can do to help.
▪️Organize a community clean-up event
Get your school together for a clean-up event where students and staff work together to pick up trash and clean graffiti in your community. Discuss with students the need to keep the Earth clean for future generations. This can be a fun way to meet neighbors and make new friends as well!
▪️Connect to nature
Plan a day for students to explore nature around your community! Find local hiking paths and other natural landmarks to visit together. Don’t forget to pick up any litter you find along the way! Immersing yourself in nature is a great way to get more conservation-conscious.
▪️Plant a community garden
Celebrate Earth Day by getting students together to plant a garden. Teach kids how to care for plants and the earth, while also prioritizing nutrition and healthy eating. Watching their hard work turn into healthy plants and trees can be a rewarding and bonding experience for students. This is a good time to talk about plant diversity and how different plants interact with each other!
▪️Hold a recycled art competition
Organize a recycled art competition to get kids thinking about ways to reuse everyday items that would otherwise be thrown away. This kind of event is great for the environment and inspires innovation and creativity. Bottle caps, paper towel rolls, plastic soda bottles, and cereal boxes are some easy-to-find materials that can be transformed into impressive art!
▪️Recycle your e-waste
Set up your schools with an e-waste recycling event to keep hazardous materials out of landfills! Recycling your electronics is an effective way to reuse materials, such as aluminum, copper, silver, and plastics in order to produce new products, rather than sourcing brand new materials.
▪️Don’t forget the wildlife
Earth Day isn’t just about plants and recycling! Encourage students to learn about the amazing critters that depend on the health of the Earth just as much as we do. Here’s an easy DIY bird feeder that students can make out of recycled milk containers!
▪️Explore the world with Google
Exploring other parts of the world doesn’t have to mean taking a plane ride! Use Google Earth to show students other parts of the world to learn about their geography and natural landmarks. Students can see the Grand Canyon’s rock layers, “climb” Mount Everest, and “swim” in the Great Barrier Reef all in one school day!
▪️Craft conservation reminders
Have students make colorful signs to remind others to turn the lights off, not let the faucet run, and eliminate plastic bags. Teach students about why we should do these things. This is an easy way to encourage a change of habits and prioritize conservation.
▪️Virtual Field Trip
Spend the day traveling the globe without even needing to pack a suitcase. Explore natural wonders like the Channel Islands in California, Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park, and the Statue of Liberty in New York City—all from the comfort of your home. Fire up your tablet or computer and appreciate the beauty our planet has to offer.
▪️Write an Earth Day Pledge
Reflect on ways—big or small—that you can turn Earth Day into Earth Year. Encourage your household to care for the planet every day. Consider actions like turning off lights when leaving a room, taking shorter showers, and reducing waste.
▪️Look Out for the Bees
Many bee species are endangered due to deforestation, harmful pesticides, and climate change. Help preserve what’s left by reducing pesticide use, planting pollinator-friendly gardens, and supporting local beekeepers. You might even consider raising honeybees of your own.
▪️Make Seed Bombs
Soak paper scraps in water, shred them, and combine the pulp with wildflower seeds. Form them into balls and let them dry. Plant these seed bombs in flower pots or directly in the garden. Wildflower seeds germinate easily, and you’ll soon enjoy their beauty.
▪️Backyard Camping
Grab s’mores ingredients and head to your backyard for a night in nature. Set up a tent, gaze at the stars, and appreciate the outdoors. It’s a simple yet memorable way to connect with the Earth.
▪️Nature-Themed Bingo Game
Create bingo cards with nature-related items (birds, leaves, flowers, etc.). As you explore outdoors, mark off the items you spot. It’s a fun way to observe and appreciate the natural world.
▪️Attend a Virtual Yoga Class
Many instructors offer online yoga sessions. Participate in a nature-themed class to connect your mind, body, and the Earth.
▪️Make Art Out of Recyclables
Get creative with items you’d normally discard. Turn old magazines, cardboard, or plastic containers into unique artworks. It’s both environmentally friendly and inspiring.
▪️Conserve Water!
We waste a lot of water. Avoid overwatering your plants and improve their health by knowing how much your garden really needs. Avoid watering your garden vegetables and plants from overhead, which invites fungal disease. Water at the soil level.
▪️Think About Your Diet!
About one-third of the food that we produce every year goes to waste annually! Usually, this happens after we buy the food. How do we avoid waste in our own lives (and save money)? Also, how can we improve our diet so that it’s healthier for ourselves (and the planet)? One way is to care about your “foodprint,” which is the result of everything that it takes to get your food from the farm to your plate.
▪️Stop Pesticide and Chemical Use in the Garden
Most of the beginner gardeners who we meet want to start growing without chemicals or pesticides—in a way that works and even saves money. Much of this is simply about focusing less on the plant and more on the health of the soil that supports the plant. If it’s nutrient-rich with organic matter, plants thrive.
We hope these ideas spark inspiration for your school's Earth Day celebration! By educating students about the importance of conservation and the benefits of going green, we help preserve and improve the health of the Earth for generations to come. While working as a team is important, we can each do something every day to make our planet better.
Let us know how your community celebrates! Happy Earth Day!
