Every Day is Earth Day–Especially April 22
What do you feel when you see a picture of our planet suspended in space? Are you like an astronaut gazing at Earth’s fragile appearance with profound appreciation for how it sustains life? Or do you think, "Oh yeah, Earth Day is coming up —when is that again?"
From Global to Local
For the past 55 years, Earth Day has been celebrated on April 22 (starting in the US, it now includes over 190 countries). Shining the spotlight on pollution, climate change, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity, Earth Day encourages you to increase your understanding of key environmental issues. Like an annual birthday party, it’s an opportunity to show the Earth you care by giving the gift of your time. You can learn how the larger issues affect our region or examine your lifestyle. Does it support or harm the planet we all share?
In upstate New York, two resources outline our region's sustainability plans and the larger systems directing change: Genesee-Finger Lakes Climate Action Strategy, facilitated by Climate Solutions Accelerator, and Monroe County Climate Action Plan. Residents can follow the progress of these initiatives and become involved with a Color Your Community Green group to add their contributions and impact local change.
From Local to Home
At Impact Earth, we like the motto Every Day is Earth Day; it reflects our support to individual households making a difference through daily choices in their homes. In 2024, we reintroduced our Household Assessment, a tool that allows individuals to rate 40 personal habits on a scale from already do this to can’t imagine doing this. It was the second group of 100 households to complete it, and the scorecard of behaviors they already do is below:
The two highest percentages are in areas supported by our community. For example, New York has a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags, so consumers needed to switch to reusable bags. Also, most people completing this assessment were already diverting their food waste with Impact Earth.
Preaching to the choir? Of course, they’re the ones singing our low-waste song so beautifully!
Still, there’s room to improve- increasing those percentages one choice at a time.
How will you celebrate this Earth Day?
Download a printable copy of our Household Assessment and set some goals with your family.
Take a day trip around Rochester and develop a profound appreciation for our region of the planet.
Join others in area Earth Day activities.
As always, we’d love to hear from you! Send your comments to Nancy Steinkamp.