The Earth needs us, even at six feet apart. The 50th anniversary of Earth Day is going digital – with a goal of creating a global conversation around meaningful actions that will make a difference.
The Earth Day Network’s theme for 2020 is climate action. Join the College of Arts, Sciences & Education by participating in Earth Day’s “24 hours of action” from wherever you are in the world. Even in times of social distancing amid a global pandemic, there are opportunities for action.
Act on plastic solution and signup for a future cleanup
- The world’s oceans are under invasion. Eliminate single-use plastics by having a reusable water bottle, investing in grocery totes and storing leftovers in eco-friendly containers.
- Consider plogging, also known as collecting litter while jogging or rollerblading.
- Sign up to become a volunteer with FIU’s Office of Sustainability or for a future cleanup hosted by our Education Outreach team. Though campuses are currently closed, you’ll already be signed up for volunteer opportunities when they reopen.
Create for the Earth
- Aquatic biologist, Evelyn Gaiser turned climate data from Lake Annie into a musical composition that helps listeners experience temperature changes over the years. Find your own inspiration and make activism art through painting, photography or music. Share your work with Artists for the Earth for the chance to get featured.
Take a climate class
Enroll for an FIU course this summer or fall that fulfills a core requirement or elective, while learning about environmental issues.
- Offered Summer and Fall 2020
- EVR 1017: The Global Environment & Society (fulfills Global Learning)
- EVR 1001: Introduction to Environmental Sciences (fulfills Global Learning)
- EVR 3013: Ecology of South Florida
- Offered Fall 2020
- EVR 4401: Conservation Biology
- IDS 1273:First Year Seminar in Sustainability
- IDS 4232: Sustainability in Action
- OCB 2003: Introduction to Marine Biology
Become a citizen scientist
- Contribute to scientific data and learn about your neighborhood with FIU’s Grove ReLeaf program.
- Participate in this year’s City Nature Challenge and document it by using the iNaturalist app – a free species identification application.
- Support our S.A.R.A.H program, a movement to solve the marine plastic pollution epidemic. We’re hoping to use the data to inform ocean management and policy.
Make your next meal plant-based and compost your food
- FIU biologist Brian Machovina suggests reducing animal products in your diets to a daily average of 10 percent in order to decrease the ecological footprint of animal agriculture.
- Growing crops in a backyard garden is another way to influence a healthy lifestyle.
- Done with that banana? Collect food scraps to keep food waste out of landfills. Take it to the next level by using your compost as fertilizer with Back2Earth. The Institute of Environment hosted a composting webinar to get you started.
Activate clean energy
- Lower carbon emissions by shutting off the water while brushing your teeth or washing the dishes. Less water means utilities don’t use as much energy for pumping the water in and disposing of it.
- Reduce electricity by flipping the switch when leaving a room and change the lightbulbs to low energy lighting LED’s. Better yet, use natural light during the day.
- According to the U.S Department of Energy, it is recommended to set your home cooling system to 78 degrees.
Sign the Pesticide Pledge or become a backyard beekeeper
- Recent studies show 40 percent of pollinator species – such as bees and the Monarch butterfly – are facing extinction. Some of decline is attributed to agriculture practices and pesticide use. Pledge to go pesticide-free.
- Honeybees turned Tasha Trujillo into a businesswoman. She can help you become a backyard beekeeper.
Ten percent of the U.S. population in 1970 took the streets to rally for an environmental movement. It resulted in landmark laws including the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts.
Five decades later, the goal is to engage millions of people worldwide because together, we can save the Earth. Use #EarthDay2020 and #HopeforEarth to join the conversation. More actions can be found at earthday.org.
Emily Castellanos contributed to this story.
