With Earth Day around the corner and the environment on our mind, we tend to think harder about ways we impact the environment, and how we can at least improve our wasteful habits for at least one day out of the year. I know it’s so easy to think, “I am just one person, how could I possibly make an impact on our environment by just changing my habits?” And while it’s so easy to sit back and think that, I am here to tell you that you are not alone. I often forget that it’s not just celebrated in the U.S. but around the globe, where the whole world comes together to truly help our planet be the best it can. We have to remember that it’s Earth Day and that, as a famous Disney Channel poet once said, we are all in this together. We’re going to take a trip around the world and look at three Earth Day celebrations that will have you recycling in no time.
1. New York City
First stop, the US of A, the Big Apple. In New York City, more than 70 organizations come together for this environmental holiday. One big event that is centered around this holiday is a pop-up shop featuring a variety of companies and groups that work to support sustainability and social responsibility. The event is sponsored by the Earth Day Initiative. This spring, New York City will be hosting the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day with an art installation and action center in NYC’s Union Square. The action center will encourage visitors to take simple actions in order to make a positive impact on our environment or allow visitors to share their own personal sustainability stories. Maybe it’s time to plan an Earth Day trip to New York, by carpooling of course.
Courtesy: Glenwood NYC
2. Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo has the right idea; Earth Day isn’t just a one-day long event but rather, a two-day celebration to commemorate our global environment. In Yoyogi Park, over 100,000 visitors come together for family activities and learn about companies that use sustainability and keep the environment constantly in mind as they produce products for their customers. The event also provides a variety of vegetarian food to help further promote sustainability as well as socially conscious entertainers. If you’re feeling extra green, come celebrate our beautiful Earth for two days, and then maybe continue to celebrate it from there on out. Who says the party has to ever end?
Courtesy: Time Out
3. Johannesburg, South Africa
South Africa is one of few who refers to Earth Day as International Mother Earth Day. With the almost poetic holiday title, you can already tell that they take this holiday seriously. Each year they host an event called the “Rand Show” which is known as being the biggest consumer exposition in South Africa. This year, the Rand Show will be celebrating 125 years, and it promises to be one of the best shows yet with events including a flower and decor show, an International Fitness Expo, world-class military displays, a drum majorette Gold Cup, along with Africa’s biggest celebration of the global sensation game, Fortnite and much more. Another notable event within the Rand Show is the Earth Expo which is sponsored by several environmental organizations. The Earth Expo promises to deliver educational forums on topics including nutrition, fashion and technology. Entrepreneurship skills and tips will also be discussed for anyone wanting to make their business more sustainable. And while you thought Tokyo’s two-day celebration was wild, South Africa’s celebration goes on for about 10 days. The more the merrier!
Courtesy: Northcliff Melville Times
Next time you ask yourself if your impact truly matters, remember that there are nations across the globe working right alongside you to help make this world a better place. If we continue these practices and work towards a common goal of sustainability, Earth Day habits will maybe one day become something of a normal everyday routine. Practicing these sustainable ways is the first step. Do your part, at least for one day, so we can work towards a common goal as not just an individual, but as a world. Happy Earth Day.