Environment

Earth is an exceptional place. It’s our home. Home to diverse people and cultures, plants and animals, and deserves to be celebrated every day of the year.

It’s been over 50 years since the first Earth Day (1970), when people around the nation took to the streets to use their voice to drive change for the health of the planet. Learn more about Earth Day’s rich history.

Everyday actions can make a difference! Watch this inspirational video—Call to Action! Schools for a Sustainable Future—as students and staff share their passion for designing and managing a successful and fun project-based paper and cardboard recycling program to tackle the problem of excess paper consumption and waste, and inspire other schools to do the same.

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Keep the Earth Day Celebration Going Every Day With These 10 Simple Actions to Take for the Planet

1. Participate in Global Action Days April 18-28

Take positive action around the 5Rs – refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and repurpose as part of the Litter Less Plus campaign and the 2023 Global Action Days.
Over a 10-day period in April, find five easy actions to take to reduce pollution and consumption. Share your actions on social media.
Learn more about consumption & waste with the Eco-Schools USA at Home Consumption & Waste Audit.

2. Get to Know Some Environmental Justice Leaders

Meet Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali, the National Wildlife Federation’s VP of Environmental Justice, Climate, and Community Revitalization.
“Little Miss Flint” who at a young age brought public awareness to the water crisis in Flint, Michigan.
Leah Thomas, founder of the inclusive Intersectional Environmentalist.

3. Register for the Clean Earth Challenge

Download the Spring Education Toolkit for K-12 Schools with planning details and important dates.
Explore free activities that focus on watersheds, food waste, and wildlife with connections to litter and the circular economy.
Plan to collect trash on school grounds as part of an Earth Day celebration.

4. Join the Earth Day 2023 Movement to #InvestInOurPlanet

Find out how to take action around topics such as climate literacy, plastic pollution, and sustainable fashion.
Explore ways to make a difference all year long.