01. A Warm Welcome
We hope everyone is doing great and taking good care of themselves. These past couple of months have certainly been difficult for many in terms of snowfall. One of the overarching concerns is commuting. For many students, travelling to and from campus is difficult during times of extreme cold weather and road conditions. Another challenge has been the unpredictable weather, especially when it would start snowing on random days of the week. This sudden weather occurrence is something that we unfortunately are unable to predict; however, we are able to prepare in advance in case of such occurrences. Taking into consideration the difficult months, we wish that everyone was able to successfully navigate through such conditions and would like to share a few strategies (3 W’s) which could prove to be beneficial during heavy snowfall, as well as extreme cold conditions.
- Warm your Car: It has been found that many are aware of the importance of plugging your car to warm it up, but only a few actually do so.1 Warming your car overnight keeps the engine running and results in an easy start-up the very next morning!
- Winter Gear: Regardless of the weather conditions, it is extremely important to have your winter jackets, hats, and gloves on standby. You never know when it starts snowing and having the winter gear prepared would be really beneficial!
- Watch the Weather: Sources such as The Weather Network and Environment Canada are great places to stay updated with the weather. Frequent visits to these websites can really help with prior planning!
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
Earth can be unpredictable sometimes, but its uniqueness lies in this unpredictability. Let us allow ourselves the time to appreciate and celebrate the remarkable nature of Earth!
02. Celebrating the Creation
Earth is undoubtedly a beautiful creation, and we as humans are blessed to call Earth home. There are countless benefits we receive from Earth, from fresh oxygen for survival to ethereal sceneries for peace of mind. Every year, a day of the month is designated to acknowledge everything about Earth: Earth Day on April 22nd. Here is a sneak peek into the origin of Earth Day3.
Photo by Noah Buscher on Unsplash
Earth Day was first created in 1970 by Gaylord Nelson, who was a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin. He was an avid environmentalist, who was concerned about the activities harming Earth.
Every year, on the 22nd of April4, more than one billion people around the world celebrate Earth Day, an environmental day that honours the importance of the planet’s natural resources by inviting every individual to engage in more sustainable practices. A simple movement that started in the United States to raise awareness about environmental concerns became a worldwide phenomenon, leading to the creation of important organizations and foundations advocating for stronger protection policies to preserve our planet. To gain a deeper understanding of the impact of Earth Day on modern environmentalism, it is worth diving into its historical origins, exploring how diverse countries celebrate it, and finally looking at sustainable actions to engage in on this day.
The Historical Context of Earth Day
While the Industrial Revolution brought tremendous technological advances to the United States of America, the country’s economic position reached new heights at the expense of its flora and fauna. At that time, there were no regulations or policies for harmful practices made against the environment; many materials were completely depleted to support extensive manufacturing processes, and toxic waste was thrown into the waters without repercussions.
Photo by Patrick Hendry on Unsplash
For instance, on January 28, 1969, a massive oil spill occurred in Santa Barbara (California), where around three million gallons of oil were spilled in the US's largest waters, killing a devastating number of seabirds and marine animals6. Such a catastrophe sparked widespread indignation and countless discussions regarding biodiversity conservation. Inspired by this event, Gaylord Nelson, a Democratic senator from Wisconsin, held national teach-ins to raise awareness about environmental concerns. Indeed, Earth Day was first created on April 22nd, 1970, a date falling between spring break and finals season, to encourage students to get involved in the movement.
Supported by Denis Hayes, an enthusiastic graduate student, and Pete McCloskey, a Republican congressman, Senator Nelson was able to promote the cause to a larger audience3. More than twenty million Americans7 from all political and socio-economic backgrounds were participating in rallies and protests, demanding for stronger action to preserve the planet and its wildlife. This day gave birth to the creation of many environmental policies and organizations, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Environmental Education Act, the Clean Water Act, the Toxic Substances Act, and many more.8 By the 1990s, Earth Day became a global celebration, amassing and inspiring more than one billion participants across 149 countries to opt for a sustainable lifestyle.
April 22nd marks the annual day where individuals can take the time to appreciate the beauty of diversity of our home, planet Earth. This is also the opportunity to reflect on our choices and consider how habits can be changed to create a more eco-friendly and cleaner Earth for humanity.
03. Special Ideas for a Special Day
Feel free to come up with your own special initiatives that you would like to complete on Earth Day. Here are some ideas to look forward to on April 22, 2026:
a) Gardening: Your beautiful garden may be waiting to be cherished with flowers and vegetation. Plant a flower for Earth day!
b) Nature Walks: Ever find yourself staying indoors for too long? Spare some time this coming Earth Day to expose yourself to the natural beauty of Earth. A walk to the nearby ravine or around your neighborhood will go a long way!
c) Earth Education: This blog is a great source to learn about Earth; however, there is more to Earth than we know about! Take some time to read about Earth online and have discussions with friends and family! Here is a source! https://science.nasa.gov/earth/facts/
d) Public Library: Head over to the nearest public library and learn about activities that are happening! There are often community initiatives led by public libraries! There are some activities planned! Check out the link: https://epl.bibliocommons.com/events/69bb242567801235ed7301b7
e) Join your community for environmental initiatives: Consider walking around your neighborhood to learn more about activities which are taking place!
f) 3 R’s: Put extra effort into Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle! See what these three words mean and learn more about their impact on Earth and climate change.
04. How is Earth Day celebrated outside of Canada?
Diversity is one of the major strengths of Earth and around the world; there are many different ways that Earth Day is celebrated.
The rise of environmental concerns9, such as biodiversity loss, deforestation, or global warming, highlighted the importance of reinforcing eco-conscious initiatives in many communities worldwide.
Photo on Shutterstock
Starting in the United States of America, people celebrate Earth Day by attending lectures held by scientific organizations and pacific
environmental marches held across the country10. For a more of a festive vibe, in Japan11, various workshops and celebrations are held over two days at Yoyogi Park Events Square to learn more about sustainable businesses and associations offering eco-friendly goods and organic food. London’s EarthFest12 (Ontario, Canada) recognizes green initiatives by hosting immersive eco-fashion showcases, musical stages, and vibrant meetings to make sustainable living more accessible to everyone.
In the United Kingdom13, many environmental charities encourage British citizens to make donations to support biodiversity efforts and social responsibility. Countries14 such as Kenya, India, Brazil, and Barbados15, focus on promoting higher wildlife and ecosystem preservation efforts through community cleanups, tree planting, and innovative educational activities.
Across the globe, Earth Day reunites people of all ages wanting to fight against environmental degradation. Here are a few initiatives from some countries2:
- Philippines: Hosts a unique initiative of marathons, where people can participate in 5K, 10K, 21K and 42K!
- Japan: Two day exquisite festival in Yoyogi Park which invites people to engage in peaceful activities such as yoga and eco-friendly markets.
- Spain: Hosts a 24 hour workshop called the Global Unity and Regeneration Gathering, which focuses on themes such as environmentalism and sustainability. Some prior activities include sustainability workshops regarding kitchen scraps and ways to build water-harvesting systems!
Earth Day is more than just a day; it is a time for the community to unite and put forward additional efforts towards issues pertaining to climate change. In addition to uniting goals, Earth Day reminds individuals to not take Earth and its gifts for granted. Everyday should be Earth Day so we may be reminded of the priceless benefits we receive from Earth!
05. Interactive Activities!
This coming month, take the time to reflect on the things that you are grateful to receive from Earth! Want to know the best way to reflect? Journal writing! Feel free to use the following prompt to write and share with friends and family!
What aspects of Earth are you grateful for?
Illustration from Shutterstock
06. How to Contribute to Earth Day Every Day
The creation of Earth Day would not have come into fruition without the contributions of several individuals and organizations for the cause. Each one of us has the power and the resilience to play a vital role in bringing sustainable change to the ecosystem we live in. That can be done through implementing viable actions in our everyday lives to honour the beauty of nature. If you want to become an eco-conscious global citizen, here are some activities you can participate in during Earth Day16:
- Use reusable bags instead of plastic bags when shopping for goods.
- Thrift and donate your clothes to charities in your community.
- Use public transportation and carpool to cut down on carbon emissions.
- Volunteer in food banks, clean-up activities, and environmental workshops.
- Reduce your environmental footprint by using less water and electricity.
- Engage in outdoor activities, such as running or walking in natural spaces.
- Educate yourself by watching documentaries, listening to podcasts, and reading articles on sustainability and environmentalism (Take a look at the previous articles posted on The Flame website).
- Take the time to clean up your email inbox.
- Spread awareness about environmental preservation on social media.
07.“Our Power, Our Planet”: Highlighting the Importance of Earth Day in Our Daily Lives
Earth Day marks the start of a revolutionary international movement centered around environmental justice. The globe is warming at an
alarming rate, natural habitats are getting flagrantly deforestated and polluted, and greenhouse gases emissions rates are at their highest: more and more people feel urged to express their discontent of the suffering the planet is going through. It is now or never that we need to take significant measures to preserve our remaining resources, for the sake of our planet and future generations. “Our Power, Our Planet”17 : from joining peaceful protests to volunteering for environmental organizations, every action we partake in belongs to an ongoing legacy of tenacity and perseverance to make the world a better place to live in. Here is a quote to ponder about!
"Our goal is not just an environment of clean air and water and scenic beauty. The objective is an environment of decency, quality and mutual respect for all other human beings and all other living creatures."
~ Gaylord Nelson18
BLOG WRITTEN BY: Rebha Badhan and Lynn Kenmeu
BLOG EDITED BY: Raeghan Cromwell and Navdeep Badhan
References
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Citation Generator Used:
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