What is Earth Day?
Earth day is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about climate change, deforestation and other environmental challenges facing the Earth. It has taken place on April 22 every year since 1970!
As the threat of climate change deepens, we must take action now more than ever. Together we can make meaningful changes and protect the Earth for future generations.
Earth Day 2024 focuses on plastic pollution, which has become one of the most challenging problems we face. Did you know that half of all plastics were manufactured in the last 15 years?
Why do we make so much plastic?
It is believed that around 50% of the plastics manufactured are single use plastics! The convenience of plastic has led to a throwaway attitude towards it. Plastic is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, versatile and durable. While plastic shopping bags are useful, they are used for a short period of time and can then take hundreds of years to decompose.
Plastic waste often ends up in the ocean, where it breaks down into microplastics. Microplastics have been found all over the world, including in the Mariana Trinchera.
What can you do?
Earth Day is all about raising awareness, so why not try one of our activities related to climate change and pollution and then tell your family and friends?
Take the plastic garment and reduce the use of plastic and the impact on the planet. This is a good activity to do with friends or in a group so that children can exchange ideas together.
The activity sheets below are FREE. Just click on the image to get your copy!
Other ideas are to plant trees or help clean up an area local to where you live, perhaps by cleaning up litter or improving wildlife habitats.
Make a list of how you can live more sustainably. Some ideas are to use renewable energy sources, perhaps eat less meat, recycle and reuse, travel less, walk or cycle more and think about what you buy.
Calculate your own carbon footprint using this carbon footprint calculator on the WWF website.
Earth Day Activity Ideas
Learn about Melting of the polar caps with this fun activity using ice chips in warm water.
Find out what we mean when we talk about Greenhouse gases making models of edible molecules.
Discover How pollution affects marine habitats. with this simple demonstration.
Do you have any Earth Day activity ideas for us?
Last updated on April 23, 2024 by Emma Vanstone
Leave feedback about this