On April 22, Earth day was celebrated. The holiday is the perfect annual opportunity for many to appreciate how the Earth’s ecosystems work together to create the perfect habitat for humans and animals to live. The day honors the beauty of Mother Nature, but it is important to recognize that the environment is in danger due to pollution. However, you can still make a difference even after Earth Day has passed.

A compost bin is an efficient way to reduce the production of methane, which is a toxic greenhouse gas that traps heat in the environment and is released by decaying food. Try planting some flowers with siblings or taking a hike to get immersed in nature. Organizing a clean-up with friends to pick up trash in a local park is another way to make a positive impact. 

“My best friend and I have been going to Lake Allatoona every Earth Day to pick up trash left out that could possibly hurt the animals in the area,” Meg Csoke, junior, said.

All around the world, there are wildlife reserves that house thousands of different species of plants and animals with the goal of providing a safe habitat away from pollution that major factories produce. Due to the increase of industrialization, big companies are trying to build oil wells close to many of these protected territories. In order to prevent this, one can write letters to organizations or to state elected officials to persuade them to retreat on their initial intentions.

“There are so many wildlife reserves in danger of big companies taking them over, writing letters to their supervisors makes me feel like I am doing something to help all the lives in danger,” Jake Carper, senior, said.

  Getting involved in local organizations is a great way to continue to celebrate Earth Day all year round. Environment Georgia is a non-profit corporation located that hosts many different nature activities such as tree planting and solar panel construction. The Conservation Fund takes groups on a hiking clean-up through Delonaga, teaching participants about nature while also picking up trash throughout the hike.  

“The first way to help the world is to start in your area, if you help the Earth locally, it can make a big difference,” Carly Wilson, freshman, said.

The world is in danger because of human activities. Earth Day, however, is the perfect time to start investing in the environment and reverse the harm that humans have done to it. One can read more information here.