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While every day is technically a day to be kind to the planet, April 22 is Earth Day — a time to show special appreciation and intentionally adopt new habits, if needed, that protect the planet that makes our lives possible.
As we approach Earth Day 2024 and look for ways to recognize it, it’s possible that feelings of climate anxiety or even climate despair may come up. And that makes sense. There’s no denying that our climate is in crisis, and progress toward passing planet-saving climate policy on a global scale has been slow moving. In the meantime, we see the headlines about Earth hitting new global heat records every month, with climate change-fueled disasters, from flooding to fires, happening just as often. When it feels like the people who actually have power to mitigate climate change aren’t listening, it’s easy to get discouraged. But it’s critical that we don’t allow feelings of helplessness to become hopelessness, and that we channel our climate concerns into collective action.
No one can do everything to address the climate crisis, but everyone can do something. That doesn’t mean individually taking on all the guilt and accountability of the billionaires, governments, and corporations that are driving climate change the most. But it does mean applying pressure without pause to those parties and using our wallets to vote for the world we want future generations — and, increasingly, ourselves — to live in. It also means taking the time to stop and celebrate what all of these efforts are ultimately for: preserving the natural beauty and life-giving strength of our home planet.
So, whether you’re looking for ideas about how to celebrate Earth Day at school, at work, or at home, use Earth Day this year to up your personal planetary investment, starting with learning about the history of Earth Day and its links to radical climate action. Then, explore our suggestions for ways to celebrate Earth Day this year that are equal parts fun and impactful.
The history of Earth Day
When was the first Earth Day? Celebrating Earth Day officially dates back to 1970, when Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson organized a national event aimed at raising awareness around important environmental issues like factory waste disposal and air quality regulations. At the time, environmental protections in the United States essentially didn’t exist. According to the Environment Protection Agency, more than 20 million Americans participated in the first Earth Day, attending rallies taking place across the country. By the end of that year, the U.S. government had created the Environmental Protection Agency. And by 1990, Earth Day had become a global event celebrated by more than 140 countries around the globe.
But pro-Earth activism didn’t start with a white male senator in the year 1970, of course. Indigenous people and other communities of color have long been environmental stewards in the U.S. and around the world, and many young people are carrying forward that tradition today while challenging white-washed ideas of what a climate activist looks like. So, as you seek to learn more about the history of Earth Day, make sure you’re doing so from sources that tell the full history of eco-activism instead of just centering white people — the very group that, historically, has been the biggest resource usurpers. And if one of your Earth Day 2024 goals involves environmental volunteering, rather than replicating work that’s already happening, look for ways to support Indigenous-led efforts to protect your state’s ecosystems.
Feeling ready for more ideas about how to celebrate Earth Day — or, if you’ve been observing the holiday throughout April, ideas for how to celebrate Earth Month? Below, we’ve rounded up 15 suggestions to get you started.
1. Plant a tree
It’s a classic Earth Day activity for a reason. Trees not only cool things down (collectively, they can help decrease a city’s temperature by up to 10 degrees) but they also clean the air and give off more oxygen, among a ton of other benefits. Plant one in your family’s yard (if Mom or Dad need convincing, tell them that it’s been proven that trees can increase your property value by 15%).
2. Ride your bike
The fewer cars on the road, the less carbon emissions polluting the air and contributing to global warming — simple. Find transportation alternatives that help reduce your carbon footprint and get you moving. Riding your bike and just taking a walk are two free options that will help you get your steps in, and carpooling or taking public transportation can be great ways to spend time with friends or people-watch on the bus. To make a game of it, calculate with your friends or family roughly how many carbon emissions your weekly transportation is producing. Then, for one week, see who can reduce their transportation-tied carbon emissions the most.
3. Let your voice be heard
Feeling passionate about a certain environmental cause or piece of legislation that you believe should be passed? Check out some of the excellent youth climate activist organizations out there like Sunrise Movement, Zero Hour, Extinction Rebellion Youth, and Fridays for Future, and see how you can volunteer with them. Remember what we said earlier, too: Earth Day is the perfect time to learn about Indigenous-led environmental efforts in your state. Whether by directly volunteering or financially supporting the many initiatives Indigenous groups are already working on, determine where you can be of support. Write an email to your local representative to share your thoughts. Here’s how to find their contact info. You can also start or sign a petition for something you’d like to see changed. Go to change.org to get started.
4. Make a water conservation plan
We’re not talking about cutting your shower by a few minutes one time. Sit down and really look at the water you use and how you use it. There are a surprising number of ways to cut back, like: installing a water-saving showerhead; turning off the water while you brush your teeth; having your parents or roommates check the toilet for leaks; using your dishwasher sparingly or only for full loads; or planting a garden full of drought-resistant trees and plants that don’t need frequent watering. Conserving water is a long game that requires a plan to be really effective. Plan a family or group dinner to discuss how you all can contribute to saving water in your household.
5. Use reusable bags
It’s been estimated that Americans use an average of 365 plastic bags per person per year, and just the production alone for plastic bags requires about 12 million barrels of oil. Not to mention, they take up lots of space in landfills and cause major problems for marine wildlife. Instead, buy some super cute reusable bags to use when you go to the grocery store. You’ll not only be stylish but eco-friendly as well!
6. Use a refillable water bottle
Just because you’re tossing your plastic water bottles into the recycling bin doesn’t mean they're not hurting the environment. Besides the fact that it takes over 1.5 million barrels of oil to manufacture all of those bottles each year, there are still over two million tons of water bottles that have ended up in U.S. landfills. Buy a reusable bottle, preferably one that has a filter attached to it, so you’ll be getting fresh water every time.
7. Get produce from a local farmer’s market
Besides supporting area businesses, you’ll also be helping the Earth by buying your fruits and veggies local. That’s because food in the grocery stores travels an average of 1,500 miles to get to you, and all that shipping can cause pollution plus an increase of fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions. When you buy locally, it’s transported in shorter distances. Community Supporter Agriculture, or CSA, is also a great way to get local, seasonable produce delivered to your door. Sign up for one in your area, or recommend if to your parents.
8. Shop smart for clothes
Want to treat yourself to a new outfit? You can do it in a way that’s environmentally friendly! As with any kind of material good, buying something that’s already been used is great for the Earth because it doesn’t involve new resources. Check out used clothing sites like thredUP to see what kind of cute outfits are available, or check out some of Teen Vogue editor’s favorite picks. Bonus: some studies have shown that buying online can actually be better for the environment because it takes about 30% less energy to do so.
9. Host a clothing repair workshop
What’s low-impact on your wallet and the environment? Finding new ways to enjoy and breathe life into the clothes you already own. Given that ripped, stained, and otherwise damaged articles of clothing contribute to the 34 billion tons of textile waste landing in U.S. landfills each year, learning some basic sewing tricks is a fun way to both get more wear out of your garments and get your friends together for an old-school sewing circle. If sewing isn’t so much your thing, you can buy cute iron-on patches to make that denim jacket with the ripped elbow stick around, too. Or do some spring cleaning and invite friends over for a tried-and-true clothing swap.
10. Start a community garden project
Or find the nearest community garden to you and get involved. Community gardens are a perfect way to get to know your neighbors and build up those community bonds while simultaneously planting fruits, veggies, and herbs that reduce the need for industrial farming and lower the carbon emissions of food transported to grocery stores. Talk about a win-win!
11. Turn used glass into healthier coastlines
Coastline erosion is a big deal. In certain parts of the U.S. — like in Louisiana, which loses the equivalent of a football field’s worth of land every 90 minutes due to rising waters and eroding coastlines — it’s become a dire issue. Some organizations are turning recycled glass into a sand alternative that helps shore up (literally) and protect these vital ecosystems. If you live near a coast, check to see if there’s anyone doing this work in your area.
12. Start a backyard wildlife habitat
Thanks to the United States’ oh-so charming combination of parking lots, interstates, subdivisions, and big-box chain stores, habitat loss for local wildlife has become severe in many states. For Earth Day 2024, you can dedicate a section of your backyard to native plants and provide food, shelter, and water for local wildlife, supporting biodiversity and creating corridors for wildlife to thrive despite development.
13. Have an eco-friendly craft night
You only need to head over to Pinterest for approximately 10 billion ideas for upcycled crafts and eco-friendly DIY decor. Tell your friends to bring over whatever reusable-junk items are currently littering their closets for a potluck-style upcycled craft night. Or, pick an idea in advance — say, repurposed planters made from upcycled materials — and try to gather the supplies while buying as few new items as possible. For things like larger plastic crates and wooden pallets, you may be able to find stores that will donate these to you. (Just make sure you know whether any materials you’re working with have been treated with chemicals, especially when making planters for things like herbs or veggies!)
14. Unsubscribe to catalogs
The fact is that the pulp and paper industry, responsible for all those glossy catalogs you didn’t sign up for, is a major driver of deforestation, accounting for 13-15% of the world’s total wood consumption — all for junk mail that usually ends up in the trash. You can sign up for a free opt-out service at catalogchoice.org and they’ll help you get your name off the mailing lists for all those unwanted pieces of mail.
15. Grab a guide to local plants and wildlife, and get outside
The more we understand the nature that surrounds us, the deeper our appreciation for it is, and the more we feel called to protect it. Even if you live in a city or a super-developed suburb, there are still delicate, complex natural ecosystems around us all the time. It’s likely that you’ve walked by the same tree every day without ever knowing its name, or that there are animal habitats near you that you don’t (yet) know how to spot. So grab a native flora and fauna guide for your area — the more localized, the better — and get outside this Earth Day.
Related: How to Become a Climate Activist
