Earth Day 2014

Written by Denise Deby.

Earth Day has become many things: a day of celebration, a series of global events, a marketing ploy, a call for individuals to take action.

Back in 1970, the original Earth Day saw millions of people standing up to demand attention to the environment. Those initial demonstrations are credited with prompting stronger environmental legislation and helping launch the environmental movement.

To get back to that original spirit of individuals coming together to make public, private and community action happen, I’m proposing a few things that people can do for Earth Day, or any day:

1. Sign up for a Community-Supported Agriculture share—get to know your farmer, eat more healthy, locally-grown food and support a sustainable food system.

2. Ask your city councillor to do more to support alternative transportation and green buildings.

3. Register for the David Suzuki Foundation’s 30×30 Nature Challenge and spend 30 minutes a day outside in nature for 30 days in May.

4. Invest in renewable energy, for example through the Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-op, or sign up with Bullfrog Power.

5. Become a member of Just Food, which is actively creating a just and sustainable local food system in Ottawa and sharing information on food-related initiatives in town.

6. Sign Ecology Ottawa’s petition asking elected officials to say no to the Energy East pipeline that would carry tar sands bitumen through Ottawa.

7. Help MiningWatch Canada celebrate its fifteenth anniversary of supporting communities around the world whose homes and environments are affected by mining, by purchasing “Solidarity Shares.”

8. Write your MP and tell them you want stronger environmental legislation and investment in scientific research.

There’s lots more that needs to be done, so please share your suggestions in the comments.