What is Earth Day?
Earth Day is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness of climate change, deforestation and other environmental challenges facing the Earth. It has taken place on the 22nd of April each year since 1970!
As the threat of climate change deepens, we need to 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 issues we face. Did you know that half of all plastics were made in the last 15 years?
Why do we make so much plastic?
It's thought that around 50% of plastics made are single-use plastics! The convenience of plastic has led to a throwaway attitude toward it. Plastic is relatively inexpensive to make, versatile and durable. While plastic shopping bags are handy, they are used for a short amount of time and then can take hundreds of years to break down.
Plastic waste often ends up in the ocean, where it is broken down into microplastics. Microplastics have been found all over the world, including in the Mariana Trench.
What can you do?
Earth Day is 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 pledge and reduce your plastic use and impact on the planet. This is a good activity to do with friends or in a group so children can brainstorm 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 clearing 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!
Work out your own carbon footprint using this carbon footprint calculator on the WWF website.
Activity Ideas for Earth Day
Learn about melting polar ice caps with this cool activity using lumps of ice in warm water.
Find out what we mean when we talk about greenhouse gases by making edible molecule models.
Discover how pollution affects marine habitats with this simple demonstration.
Do you have any activity ideas for Earth Day for us?
Last Updated on April 23, 2024 by Emma Vanstone
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