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Every year on April 22, people around the world celebrate Earth Day—a day dedicated to raising awareness about environmental issues and promoting sustainability. And though this year’s Earth Day has passed, every year I still yell about how it’s important, people! Since its inception in 1970, Earth Day has grown into a global movement, reminding us of the importance of taking care of our planet for future generations.
Where Did It Come From?
The idea for Earth Day found footing in the environmental movement of the late 1960s, a time when concerns about pollution and the degradation of natural resources were growing. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, along with activist Denis Hayes and others, came up with the idea of a national day of environmental education and advocacy. Their efforts culminated in the first ever Earth Day on April 22, 1970, which saw millions of people across the United States participate in rallies, teach-ins, and clean-up campaigns. Those dang hippies…
Why Earth Day Matters
Earth Day serves as a reminder that we all have a role to play in protecting our planet—we literally live here. From reducing our carbon footprint to conserving water and preserving biodiversity, there are countless ways that individuals, businesses, and governments can contribute to environmental sustainability. Two critical aspects of this effort are paper reduction and reducing packaging waste.
Paper Reduction
The paper industry is a significant contributor to deforestation and habitat destruction, making paper reduction an essential part of sustainable living. By reducing our consumption of paper products and opting for digital alternatives whenever possible, we can help conserve forests, reduce energy consumption, and minimize water pollution associated with paper production. Simple changes like switching to electronic billing, using digital documents instead of printing them, and investing in e-readers or tablets can all make a difference in reducing our paper footprint. Keypoint Intelligence has plenty of reports about physical vs. digital, the pros and cons of each, and the growth trends—such as digital communications trending more within younger age brackets than in older ones—in our industry, all worth reading!
Reducing Packaging Waste
Wasteful packaging is another environmental issue that has a massively widespread impact on the planet. From single-use plastics to excessive packaging materials, the amount of unnecessary material generated by packaging contributes to pollution, threatens wildlife, and exacerbates climate change. As consumers, we can make a difference by choosing products with minimal or eco-friendly packaging, supporting businesses that prioritize sustainable practices, and supporting policies that promote waste reduction and recycling.
Taking Action
Educate yourself and your friends! Take the time to learn about the environmental impacts of paper consumption and packaging waste, and then share that knowledge with others. Encourage friends, family, and colleagues to join you in making sustainable choices and reducing their ecological footprint, which can help propel an initiative to make sustainable choices.
As spring blooms, this is a time to reflect on the beauty and fragility of our planet and to recommit ourselves to protecting it for future generations. By acting individually and collectively, we can create a more sustainable and equitable world for all living beings. (And then you won’t have to listen to me screech each year. Doesn’t that sound glorious?)
So let’s celebrate our planet and find ways to do our part to ensure a brighter, greener future. Not just on Earth Day, but whenever we get the chance! No one wants a brown front lawn, after all—and space scares the hell out of me, so let’s stay earthbound.
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