Earth Day 2021
Today is Earth Day, a day designed to demonstrate support for the environmental protection of our planet. Since its inception in 1970, a wide range of events are coordinated globally by EARTHDAY.ORG with the support of over 1 billion people in more than 193 countries.
The main goal of Earth Day is to drive meaningful action for our planet across these four issues:
- Climate Action
- Science and Education
- People and Communities
- Conservation and Restoration
- Plastic and Pollution
Earth Day has become a huge part for combating climate change, so much so that world leaders chose Earth Day 2016 to sign the Paris Climate Agreement.
For 2021, EARTHDAY.GOV has been hosting virtual events over three days, starting with the global youth climate summit right through to Earth Day Live digital event that will run concurrently with the World Leaders Summit on Climate hosted by US President, Joe Biden.
Leaders from 40 countries will join the virtual summit on April 22nd and 23rd to galvanise efforts by major economies to tackle the climate crisis. This is seen as a key milestone on the road to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) being hosted in Glasgow this November.
As stated on WH.GOV, “A key goal of both the Leaders’ Summit and COP26 will be to catalyze efforts that keep that 1.5-degree goal within reach. The Summit will also highlight examples of how enhanced climate ambition will create good paying jobs, advance innovative technologies, and help vulnerable countries adapt to climate impacts.”
The event coincides with Boris Johnson’s expected announcement for the UK to cut carbon emissions by 78% by 2035, as reported by BBC News.
Three things you can do to help save the planet
It’s easy to think that there is little you can do to help save the planet, but you’d be wrong. Here are three things you can do to help save the planet this Earth Day and many days to come.
1. Saving energy and water usage
Heating and lighting up your home and using lots of water has a detrimental effect on the planet. You can improve your carbon footprint by only using these when absolutely necessary. Little things like not having your heating on overnight and turning lights off in rooms you’re not using can go a long way to saving energy. You can even switch to an eco-friendly supplier.
2. Eat less meat
The production of meat, known as “industrial meat” is bad for the planet. The majority of meat bought in the UK is produced in intensive factory farms. According to Greenpeace, JBS, who are the largest meat processing company in the world who supply supermarkets and fast food restaurants, produce half the carbon emissions of fossil fuel giants such as Shell.
Cutting down your meat intake and swapping them for plant-based alternatives can help reduce your carbon footprint. Use today as a motivation to start your meat-free Mondays.
3. Make the pledge to switch to electric garden tools
Did you know that the emissions of the most widely used petrol powered garden tool exceeds that of a car? While cars are expected to pass certain standards and tests, petrol garden tools aren’t subject to such scrutiny, despite using petrol engines.
At EGO, we believe a change is needed which is why we have published The Report, to highlight the dangers of petrol-powered outdoor tools and usher in battery powered alternatives to tackle climate change.
The Report is our biggest research project to date and the startling statistics we’ve been able to uncover outline just how damaging petrol-powered equipment is for our environment. Our research has shown that more than 89% of tools used by councils to maintain parks and school playing fields in the UK are powered by petrol engines that use more than 600,000 litres of fuel every year.
EGO believes in a cleaner, quieter and safer future by leaving petrol where it belongs, in the past.
Discover more about our work and take the pledge today by downloading The Report here: https://www.challenge2025.eu/thereport/.