Why My Children and I Dedicate Every Earth Day to Addressing Environmental Neglect

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I was born on April 22nd, making me an Earth Day baby. If one’s birthday can align with their core values and aspirations, mine definitely does. My daily goal is to enhance the environments and people I encounter. While my birth date might not have directly influenced my passion for nature and the desire to promote a cleaner, healthier planet, I certainly take advantage of Earth Day to instill my budding environmentalist perspective in my children. Every year, on my special day, I insist that they join me for a “trash walk.”

I tell my kids that the only gift I desire from them is to enthusiastically participate in my birthday trash walk. Although I haven’t yet received their immediate excitement, we usually reach that point after some initial grumbling when I announce that I’m gathering trash bags and the wagon for our haul. The actual litter collection isn’t the issue; it’s the walk that seems boring to them. I remind them that walking benefits both the planet and our health, just as listening to endless details about video games can be dull, but I do it without complaint. So, put on your shoes.

Depending on the late April weather in our New England town, we could face anything from snow to sweltering heat. Typically, we need to bundle up, which often frustrates my kids. However, nothing compares to the struggle of adjusting to unexpected warmth during a late-April heatwave, which provides a great opportunity to discuss global warming.

Events like ice storms in Texas, raging wildfires, and melting ice caps aren’t mere coincidences; they are symptoms of climate change brought on by rising global temperatures due to human actions. The burning of fossil fuels is a significant contributor to the harm we’re causing to our planet. Promoting renewable energy, conserving resources, and utilizing them more efficiently can positively impact our environment. This leads me to ask my kids why we turn off the tap while brushing our teeth. “Because we’ll harm the polar bears if we don’t,” they mumble. Correct. Now, lace up those sneakers—we’re going to collect discarded masks from the trees.

The pandemic has adversely affected many aspects of our lives, including our relationship with the environment. The rise in biomedical waste is one of the negative consequences affecting our ecosystems. Landfills have seen an increase in solid waste while recycling has declined. Although disinfectants are vital for combating COVID-19, they also contribute to pollution.

While I hope these effects are temporary, addressing the damage will require long-term planning. My kids often ask what will happen to all the masks once they are no longer needed, and honestly, I don’t have a clear answer. For now, we wear reusable ones and pick up disposable masks that careless individuals discard. It’s great to wear one and avoid spreading COVID-19, but please, throw your mask in the trash when you’re done.

Once I finish my environmental rants, my kids are usually eager to leave the house just to silence me. They also know they won’t get cake until the trash walk is complete—what better motivation could there be?

My favorite aspect of these efforts—truly the most sustainable—is that we always end up having a fantastic time. The trash walk transforms into a scavenger hunt and competition to see who can gather the most “smokers,” a term we use for cigarette butts, dirty diapers, and plastic bottles. This also gives us a chance to discuss how inconsiderate and selfish some people can be. We delve into conversations about privilege and entitlement in ways that only arise when we’re actively cleaning up the mess left by others.

This year’s Earth Day theme is “Restore Our Earth.” I’m not a marketing expert, but that seems a bit redundant. Earth Day is inherently about restoring what we’ve lost, including our connection to the environment. I’m doing my part, and I’m raising my kids to do the same. Once we push through the initial hesitance and complaints, we emerge with a sense of pride and a deeper understanding of how our actions affect the land and creatures we depend on for everything.

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In summary, every Earth Day, I take my children on a trash walk to instill a sense of environmental responsibility while enjoying quality family time. Despite their initial reluctance, we turn it into a fun scavenger hunt that deepens our understanding of our impact on the planet.


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