Why Earth Day Posts Aren’t Enough | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Community

Why Earth Day Posts Aren’t Enough

In order to salvage our planet, we have to do more than just appreciate it. We have to care enough to help, and we have to help enough to make a difference.

17
Why Earth Day Posts Aren’t Enough
Noah Buschmer via Unsplash | https://unsplash.com/photos/x8ZStukS2PM

Earth Day has come-- we've all seen the countless Instagram posts of beautiful pictures from all over the world in appreciation for our shared home. But Earth Day also has gone, and the topic of environmental activism has quickly been forgotten. Some celebrate Earth Week in order to raise even more awareness for the cause, but it all leaves as quickly as it comes. And while appreciating Earth is always important, it is not enough.

In order to salvage our planet, we have to do more than just appreciate it. We have to care enough to help, and we have to help enough to make a difference.

So how can we live environmentally friendly? It's much simpler than most think.

1.) Reduce meat consumption.

Vegetarians and vegans sometimes get a bad rap, but the practice of not eating meat is actually super helpful in protecting our home. Cows and other 'ruminant animals' emit methane, thus connecting beef production directly to greenhouse gas emissions. Going further, land used for livestock accounts for a huge portion of our land, making the loss of the land needed to expand agriculture the leading cause of wildlife extinction. Meat is all around us, but a reduction in beef production can make a significant difference in our current environmental climate.

2.) Reduce, reuse, recycle.

Continuing on the topic of reduction, we have the age-old catchphrase of the Three R's. And maybe because we have heard it so many times, we become numb to its meaning. But practicing this method can make an impact on the environment-- and is really easy to do! Be conscientious of your energy and water usage (we all overuse!), reuse products as much as you can, and recycle. Recycling helps the pollution of harmful greenhouse gases that are caused by landfills. You can make a big difference if you practice these three simple steps.

3.) Use sustainable products.

Sustainable, or eco-friendly, products are also often overlooked. Reusing items, such as cloth shopping bags over plastic bags, contribute to the reduction of waste-- and the 26.7 million tons of trash that we create per year. As they become increasingly in-demand, these products are quite accessible. Metal straws had become all-the-rage about a year ago, and while it's a step in the right direction, it isn't enough. Consider buying reusable shopping bags and water bottles, investing in eco-friendly technology, and avoiding fast fashion (cheap materials being produced in an environmentally harmful way).

4.) Be politically aware.

This is perhaps the most important step and something that might not be promoted in the same light as other forms of living environmentally friendly. Although we have some amazing environmental activists in our modern-day world, we also have tons of opposing powers. 100 companies have been responsible for 71% of the world's industrial greenhouse gas emission-- something that capitalism essentially enables. Resources for energy that are increasingly used have an incredibly damaging impact on the environment but are continued to be used by politicians and corporations alike with little to no repercussions. And most notably, we have multiple big-league politicians whose agenda does not include the environment at all. (So, no, Earth Day posts on Instagram don't necessarily 'count' if you supported Donald Trump.) We have a lot of power to make a difference by ourselves, but a huge portion of the power to change the world lies in the hands of few. We must continue to support and vote for politicians who are dedicated to making a difference and do everything we can to make sure that our voices are heard when politicians refuse to listen.

Earth Day was created in 1970 as a response to the lack of environmental activism in order to educate and raise awareness. It is more than just a day to post the nature shots you've been harboring. Living environmentally-friendly is an everyday action and one we all must strive for.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
an image of taylor swift standing center stage surrounded by her backup dancers in elegant peacock esque outfits with a backdrop of clouds and a box rising above the stage the image captures the vibrant aesthetics and energy of her performance during the lover era of her eras tour
StableDiffusion

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

78328
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

7629
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments