“Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world.” – Dolores Huerta
It’s the most wonderful time of the year … no, not the holidays – but Earth Day month! At California Greenworks we of course love the opportunity to educate about and activate positive climate change.
Earth Day 2022 is coming up on April 22. This year’s theme is Invest in the Planet. Our mission serves to do this every day, and we invite you to join us!
Earthday.org says we need to do three things to invest in our planet: act (boldly), innovate (broadly), and implement (equitably). We’ve compiled some ideas for ways you can do this in south Los Angeles.
Act (boldly)
- Join the great global cleanup movement to restore our planet. A part of Earthday.org’s campaign, the Great Global Cleanup calls on groups worldwide to remove billions of pieces from our shared spaces, reducing pollution and waste problems and preventing harm to wildlife and humans. California Greenworks hosts events throughout the year, please sign up here to be notified about upcoming cleanup opportunities. Register here
- Change your consumer habits. Every purchase decision you make has potential consequences or benefits to the environment. This is based on the company’s sustainability and operations model. Generation Z is leading the way in this regard: 45% stopped purchasing certain brands because of ethical or sustainability concerns, according to a Deloitte survey.
- Encourage the use of reusable utensils: Plastic utensils contribute greatly to our environmental pollution problems. These items are not recyclable, adding more insult to injury. You can change this: in daily life, carry a set of your own utensils! It’s fairly easy to find utensil sets made for on the go these days. Hosting a party? Consider whether you can use your regular housewares or a more environmentally friendly utensil option.
Innovate (broadly)
- Promote the pollinators: Pollinators are vital to the world’s ecosystem, contributing to 90% of floral reproduction on our planet. Yet our actions, such as pesticide use, and destruction of natural habitats is drastically affecting their populations. Take Earthday.org’s pledge to go pesticide free, and explore which native plants can add beauty to your yard while encouraging pollinators to thrive.
- Skip plastic, buy glass or paper – everything: Plastic is everywhere, but it is possible to make decisions that reduce or remove it from your life. Rather than use plastic containers, use glass: mason jars are great for food storage, and many brands make glass containers. When shopping, it may seem impossible to skip the plastic. Check out Earthday.org’s tips here.
- Consider your foodprint: Defined as the “environmental impacts associated with the growing, producing, transporting, and storing of our food,” each person has the power to impact the planet with a smaller foodprint. Experiment with new recipes, invite friends over to try your reduced foodprint meals and share these new found flavors with the world. Check out Earthday.org’s ideas here.
Implement (equitably)
- Plant a tree, save the planet: You can adopt a tree that grows in Los Angeles and join the monthly movement to make our planet a better place. Trees play an essential role in not just beautifying a neighborhood, by providing habit, reducing greenhouse gasses and urban heat island effect. Sponsor a monthly gift to allow us to not only plant a tree, but to provide continued care month after month to ensure your tree grows and thrives. Our focus in the south Los Angeles area provides often overlooked, minority and impoverished communities green space that boosts physical health and mental wellbeing. Yes, I want to plant a tree.
- Get involved with California Greenworks: Equitable climate change is our heart and soul. We focus on underserved neighborhoods in south Los Angeles that are traditionally overlooked and sparse for greenspace. Those that live in these neighborhoods are often people of color and minority individuals who are disproportionately exposed to negative impacts of poor climate: think air quality, lack of green space contributing to decreased mental health and more. Sign up to get involved today.