Why should I care about Earth Day & Climate Change? 

Caring for the ENVIRONMENT and PEOPLE can seemingly appear as two separate principles, however, they are strongly interconnected. No matter where you come from, it’s undeniable that you or someone you know has experienced hardship resulting from climate change. In the United States alone there have been record-breaking wildfires raging in the West, major storms and flooding in the South, drought in the Midwest, and extreme weather conditions that endanger vulnerable populations. That’s why we believe that caring for the planet ultimately means caring for people. 

Earth Day & Climate Change

Chances are you’ve probably heard the phrases “Earth Day”, “climate change” or “global warming” through social media, the news, or maybe conversations amongst friends. But what is climate change, why is it important, and why should you care about Earth Day? These are all relevant questions that you may have as we are reaching a critical point in the climate crisis.

According to the UN, climate change refers to “the long-term shift in temperature and weather patterns”. While it is natural for some shifts to occur, human activity has unnaturally expedited this process. One symptom of climate change is global warming in which the temperature of the planet gets warmer thus jeopardizing many ecosystems and forms of life. To combat the impending dangers of climate change, many people and organizations have come together to bring about change and prevent further damage to the earth. In 1970, one such group of American senators and student activists rallied to capitalize on the growing public awareness about pollution and environmental deterioration. Together they organized a large-scale teach-in event that brought national attention to environmental injustices which in turn created the first Earth Day. This marked the beginning of the push for environmental protections on the US national agenda. Since then, Earth Day has expanded to roughly 141 countries and mobilized more than 200 million people. 

What can I do?

The climate crisis is a substantial issue that requires immediate and extensive action. At times, it may seem like there is little the average person can do, however, we want to challenge that perspective and inspire people to see that any change is still progress. In honor of Earth Month, we’re offering easy tips on how to incorporate earth-friendly practices into your everyday life.

• Reusable Swaps - bottles, coffee cups, straws, grocery bags, produce bags…

• Meatless Mondays (or any other day of the week) - Introducing meals without meat and plant-based foods into your diet offers great health benefits and helps reduce your overall carbon footprint. There are tons of delicious recipes to choose from that you may not have even thought of. 

• Repurpose Leftovers - Getting creative with leftovers can help divert food waste and can also be a means to save time and money.

• Go Paperless - Many businesses and services are offering paperless options that make it easy to reduce paper waste.

• Turn off appliances and lights when not in use

• Turn off the tap when not in use - Don’t leave the water running when brushing your teeth, or washing your face, your water bill will thank you.

Living an environmentally conscious lifestyle can take many shapes and forms, whether you are hoping to reduce waste, your carbon footprint, or both, we hope you took away some helpful information to get started on your sustainable journey or continue it. Tackling climate change is a big task that can intimidate anyone; however, we believe that with collective effort and action we can all contribute to a healthier and greener future. 

Happy Earth Month,

-Team Mediclo