Earth Day 2021
On April 22nd we celebrate Earth Day, and our Pinellas County beach cleanups and volunteering opportunities are in full swing. Earth Day is frequently the date chosen for environmental events and announcements, and we’re excited to celebrate with all of you this year.
History of Earth Day
The first Earth Day occurred on April 22, 1970. It marked a growing consciousness of anthropogenic environmental damage in the United States and around the world. Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson first came up with the concept. He wanted to organize teach-ins across university campuses to bring awareness to air and water pollution issues. Soon the Senator’s team realized the event had the potential to reach all Americans; they named it Earth Day and engaged people and organizations across the country.
Earth Day in 2021
Each year April 22nd is an extremely popular day for people to protect the Earth from human-caused damage, including climate change and pollution. People all over the globe plan activities like cleanups, demonstrations, tree plantings, and other projects to both care for our planet and to inspire others to work towards change.
Though we still need to be cautious due to COVID-19, you have many options for volunteering this Earth Day. We encourage you to continue to do your favorite activities year-round. Here’s how you can celebrate Earth Day 2021 with Keep Pinellas Beautiful:
Check out KPB’s Upcoming Events to find an Earth Day event
Do a #PickUpPinellas cleanup in your own neighborhood
More Ways to Celebrate Earth Day
Perform a Waste Audit
Spend a week paying attention to what you’re throwing away. The trash your household generates is a big clue to places you can reduce your own consumption habits. For example: food scraps like peels and eggshells indicate that you should start composting. Cardboard and paper products show a need for improved recycling. Excess plastic (especially plastic wrapping) will encourage you to pay attention to how the products you buy are packaged, and to select more sustainable alternatives. You can also visit 4R World in the KPB parking lot on the third Thursday of every month to refill instead of buying new!
Reduce Paper Use
Many ways exist to reduce paper usage in your household. If you haven’t already, enroll in paperless billing statements. Keep a “scrap paper” pile in your office; pages with one blank side can be used again for note taking or list making. Invest in a whiteboard--or several--for jotting down ideas and things you need to remember.
Calculate Your Ecological Footprint
Last month we talked about the Ecological Footprint calculator. If you haven’t already, calculate how many Earths your lifestyle truly requires. It’s quick to fill out and offers eye-opening information on our personal and collective resource use.
Coastal cleanups in Pinellas County become quite popular around Earth Day, but we encourage you to volunteer for the environment at any time of the year. We hope you get involved this year as we all come together to celebrate the natural world we call home.