Treat every day like it’s Earth Day
Yesterday was Earth Day, but the global challenges of the Anthropocene require us to actively work towards solutions to our environmental issues every day. Although many of these issues have global impacts, it’s important to remember that the burdens of environmental issues like climate change, plastic pollution, and water and air pollution aren’t always equitably distributed. Environmental issues are intertwined with issues of social justice, and it’s important that we become and remain aware of this relationship and how it shapes different communities live. What can we all do to treat every day like its Earth day?
If you are in the United States, call your representative and ask them to support local and federal climate legislation, including the Green New Deal. Interested in doing more? Check if your area is hosting a town hall for the Green New Deal. If not, sign up to host one!
Follow leaders from communities of color on social media, so that media coverage of the environmental movement doesn’t continue to disproportionately sideline them compared to leaders from less marginalized groups. You can follow some of these leaders by checking out Amnesty International’s recent list of 22 diverse voices to follow on Earth Day and Mary Heglar’s spectacular “Green Voices of Color” Twitter list.
Become a member of the Earth Science Women’s Network. Anyone who supports their mission, which is “to build a resilient community that lifts all women and moves the geosciences forward,” can join! This includes signing up for their comprehensive job listerv, which highlights a variety of career opportunities in the Earth and climate sciences.
Today’s post is brought to you by Susan Cheng and Charise Johnson
Photo credit: NASA