In Reverence for Earth
Earth Day is a global event that takes place every year on April 22 to raise awareness and inspire action towards environmental protection. It’s an occasion when people from all around the world come together to celebrate our beautiful planet and commit to preserving it for future generations. But the importance of Earth Day also extends to our local communities, where small actions can have a significant impact.
This year’s Earth Day theme was “Restore Our Earth,” a call to action to focus on natural processes and emerging green technologies that can restore the world’s ecosystems. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to prioritize the health of our planet and the interconnectedness between human health and the health of our environment. This is especially true in our local communities, where we have the opportunity to make a difference in our own neighborhoods and towns
Within our local Door County community, we can reflect on our daily habits and how they impact the planet. DCEC recently showed support for the Climate Change Coalition of Door County helping plant trees locally. Small changes can have a big impact on the environment, such as reducing plastic use, conserving water, and minimizing food waste. By shopping at local farmers’ markets and supporting sustainable businesses, we can reduce our carbon footprint and strengthen our local economy.
But Earth Day is not just about individual actions. It’s also about pushing for systemic change and holding our local governments and corporations accountable for their environmental impact. Recently I attended a local village board meeting, and I watched as the locals approached the board to speak and gave their names and addresses. I really wanted to stand up and greet the Board, “Hi! I am Emeil Marks from the planet Earth! By advocating for policies that prioritize the environment, such as renewable energy and green infrastructure, we can make a significant impact on the health of our local communities and the planet as a whole.”
The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970, and since then, it has grown into a worldwide movement. On this day, people come together to plant trees, clean up beaches, and participate in environmental education and advocacy. In our local communities, we can organize cleanup efforts and tree-planting events, or host educational events and workshops on environmental topics.
One of the key aspects of Earth Day is the importance of education. In our local communities, we can educate ourselves and our neighbors about the environment and the impact of human actions on the planet. DCEC is proud of the educational programs it sponsors throughout the year.
Each Earth Day, let’s celebrate the beauty and diversity of our planet in our own local communities and recommit ourselves to protecting it. Let’s work towards a future where the environment is a top priority in our daily lives, and where our actions align with our values of sustainability and preservation. Together, we can make a difference and ensure a healthy planet for generations to come, starting right here in our own communities.
