If you don’t have access to water, you likely don’t have access to education, safety, or economic opportunity either. The ability to turn on a faucet to get clean water changes everything. According to UNICEF, over 2 billion people lack safely managed drinking water at home, and nearly 1 in 4 households rely on water sources located off-premises. The responsibility for collecting water falls primarily on women and girls, who collectively spend over 200 million hours every day walking to distant wells, rivers, or communal taps, frequently in unsafe conditions —which means women and girls lose out on education, economic opportunity, and safety, all because they can’t turn on a faucet to get water.

The theme for this year’s World Water Day, which happens on March 22, is Water and Gender. The distribution of clean water resources remains unequal throughout the world; this theme and its campaign message “Where water flows, equality grows” highlights the role water plays in empowering women, strengthening communities, and driving progress around the globe. 

To honor World Water Day, let’s break down why an action that so many of us take for granted has the potential to change the lives of women and girls everywhere.

Water Access and Gender Equality 

Imagine that instead of walking to your sink and turning on a tap to fill a glass, you had to walk several miles every day to a well, river, or lake, and then carry all the water you needed for the day back home. That’s the reality for many women around the world, especially in rural areas without basic infrastructure.

These journeys are often long and physically demanding, sometimes requiring women and girls to walk for miles while carrying containers weighing up to 40 pounds. Imagine carrying four full gallon paint cans or an inflated car tire for several miles every day, not for work or fun, but because it’s the only way your family has access to water. 

This invisible labor has lasting consequences: missed school days, reduced economic opportunities, and increased exposure to safety risks along travel routes. In rural Kenya, for example, girls may wake before dawn to walk hours to the nearest water source, returning home exhausted and late for school. Similar patterns appear in South Asia and informal urban settlements, where time spent collecting or waiting for water reduces girls’ attendance and limits women’s participation in paid work. These journeys can also carry safety and health risks, exposing women and girls to harassment, injury, and long-term physical strain.

Meanwhile, families relying on unsafe water sources also face higher rates of waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea, reinforcing cycles of poverty and poor health that disproportionately affect women and children. These breakdowns often hit women the hardest due to established gender roles that make them primary caregivers and household managers.

Reliable water access creates the conditions for empowerment. When families have clean water at home or nearby, girls can attend school consistently, women can pursue employment, and communities can invest in health and economic growth. 

The United Nations established Sustainable Development Goals that balance social, economic and environmental sustainability. Access to clean water and sanitation is one of those goals, but water justice intersects with others as well. It’s impossible to reduce poverty, increase lifespans, and even achieve higher rates of literacy or gender equality without considering water access. 

Improving water access not only meets basic needs but also frees time, expands opportunity, and supports more equitable social roles within households and communities. So why is it so hard to improve access to water?

The Structural Barriers to Water Equity 

Infrastructure failures  — such as underinvestment in public works, rapid urbanization, and old systems that were never designed for current population levels or extreme weather — happen both because of climate change and long-standing political and economic neglect. 

When infrastructure fails, women are typically responsible for securing water, food, medical care, and childcare under increasingly difficult conditions. All of this only reinforces cycles of inequality. 

For example, in cities like Dhaka, Bangladesh, seasonal flooding frequently overwhelms drainage and sanitation systems, contaminating drinking water and spreading disease. Rapid urbanization has far outpaced infrastructure development, leaving informal settlements especially vulnerable.

Addressing these challenges requires more than individual action, it requires systematic change. Governments, policymakers, corporations, and communities must collaborate to ensure that water infrastructure is resilient, safe, and equitably accessible. Clean water must be recognized not only as a necessity but as a human right and a tool for social transformation. 

Water Scarcity Affects Everyone 

While women and children are among the most affected, water scarcity also impacts entire communities. Low-income households, rural farmers, Indigenous populations, and residents of rapidly growing informal urban settlements are those most likely to live under the threat of climate change and to lack good public infrastructure. As a result, the burden of water scarcity extends beyond individual households, shaping broader patterns of environmental stress and human vulnerability.

These pressures ripple across both urban and rural spaces. In urban spaces, floods destroy sanitation systems and contaminate drinking water, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks. In rural areas where agriculture is key, water stress disrupts staple crops such as maize, rice, and wheat, reducing harvests and increasing food prices. Floodwaters that take a long time to recede foster conditions in which diseases like cholera, diarrheal infections, and malaria spread more easily. Farmers lose income, families face rising food insecurity, and local health systems become strained. 

Too often, water is only considered as an environmental resource. But these environmental pressures also weaken overall community resilience, or the ability of communities to adapt to environmental shocks, maintain livelihoods, and recover from disasters without long-term harm. When water is scarce, it is a question of equity, opportunity, and human rights. 

Every Drop Counts

Small, localized actions add up to meaningful change. Communities that organize around water access — whether their work involves wells, sanitation projects, education campaigns, or policy advocacy — create momentum that ripples outward. 

One community water well can improve education and health outcomes for generations. One urban rainwater project can reduce stress on municipal systems. One advocacy campaign can influence national water policies. For example, installing a nearby community well in rural Ethiopia has been shown to reduce waterborne illness and increase girls’ school attendance. 

History shows that lasting social change rarely comes from isolated individuals. Just as the Clean Water Act of 1972 in the United States relied on broad coalitions, water justice today requires participation at every level, from volunteers and educators to government officials and global organizations.

The problem is urgent, but the solutions are within our reach when communities, governments, and individuals act together. That’s why World Water Day 2026 exists. Everyone, globally and locally, has a role to play in building equitable water systems. 

Every drop counts — every effort, from advocacy to education to investment, pushes the world closer to water justice.

On Our Earth, Water Means Life

While these systemic challenges may seem daunting, they also highlight the power of collective action. Around the world, communities are working together to expand water access and reshape policies that determine who has the right to safe water. Our Power, Our Planet means we all have the ability to do something to create change. 

Water powers life here on our planet, and water equity is an important part of the environmental movement. Volunteer with EARTHDAY.ORG to organize events, support women-led projects, advocate for resilient infrastructure, or simply share knowledge on environmental topics like water equity. Sign up to receive updates and be part of the movement to shape the planet’s more equitable future.

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is cleared for use with attribution. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at woods@earthday.org. Want more articles? Follow us on substack.

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International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 each year to recognize the achievements, leadership, and contributions of women across every sector of society and around the globe. It is also a moment to reflect on the ongoing challenges women face and the work that remains to achieve gender equality. The day highlights how empowering women strengthens communities, economies, and movements for justice everywhere.

This year’s conversations around International Women’s Day emphasize the connections between women’s leadership and broader global challenges, including climate change, democracy, and social justice. Many Leaders argue that investing in women and supporting their leadership expands the capacity of movements working toward a durable and inclusive path forward.  

To explore these connections more deeply, EARTHDAY.ORG President Kathleen Rogers spoke with Rachel O’Leary Carmona, Executive Director of the Women’s March. Their conversation focuses on how women’s leadership strengthens movements for environmental justice, democracy, and community resilience. They discuss the ways climate change, gender equality, and social justice intersect, and how collective action — led by women and communities — can help build a more sustainable and equitable future.

Q: Could you introduce yourself and tell us about the work you’re doing?

Of course. My name is Rachel O’Leary Carmona. I’m the Executive Director of the Women’s March, and I’m really happy to be here today. I’m very interested in talking about the interconnectedness of feminism, women’s rights, and climate justice, and what environmental justice looks like.

Sometimes people question why the Women’s March talks about environmental issues and ask why we’re out of our lane. But this is very much our lane, so I’m happy to talk more about why that connection exists.

Q: The theme for International Women’s Day reminds us that investing in women strengthens communities and societies as a whole. From your perspective, how does supporting women’s leadership expand the capacity of movements working for justice, democracy, climate action, and public health?

I’ve been thinking a lot about how we build power and what actually wins for movements. It’s not a secret that there have been troubling rollbacks on women’s rights all across the world, certainly here in our own communities. At the same time, we’re seeing a troubling rise of authoritarianism and challenges to democracy.

When we talk about these issues, one of the underlying forces shaping them is climate. Climate disasters are driving many of the challenges we face today. For example, when we think about migration, some of it is related to social policy and foreign policy decisions. But what we will increasingly see is migration driven by climate disasters.

At the same time, our country is facing many challenges—threats to democracy, global conflict, and extreme weather events. We recently saw an ice storm where we were unable to mobilize the resources necessary to support the people who needed help most. The people who are hardest hit by climate disasters are often women and families. Women and children are the most affected during disasters and war. Because of this, one of the most important things we can do is invest in communities by investing in women and children, supporting peace-building efforts, and building sustainable economies that move us toward climate justice.

Often when people talk about International Women’s Day or women’s rights, they assume the conversation will focus on issues like abortion or maternal mortality. Those are important issues, but climate change should also be at the forefront of what we’re talking about.

Climate disasters displace people, destabilize communities, and create new political and legal challenges. That impact is growing every year.

Q: With so many overlapping crises today, what do you see as the most urgent opportunity for action?

I don’t think there’s a single answer. One of the challenges is that women don’t really have the luxury of single-issue thinking. For example, you might have a mother in Flint dealing with water contamination, wage theft, and childcare at the same time. The issues people face are complex and interconnected.

To mobilize people, movements often try to simplify issues. But the reality is that the issues we face are not simple. Large mobilizing moments like the Women’s March play an important role. The Women’s March was the largest single-day mobilization in the United States. But I also think a lot about what happens after the march.

Traditionally, movements bring people into the streets and then try to absorb them into organizations. That builds membership organizations, which are important. But many of our community institutions have weakened. People aren’t joining membership organizations, churches, or unions the way they once did. Without those spaces, we lose places where people can practice democracy together.

Q: What changes do movements need to make to strengthen participation?

We need to find ways to practice democracy and build relationships with one another. One approach is bringing the movement to people rather than expecting them to come to us. That means creating decentralized networks where communities can organize themselves.

We’ve seen examples of this in places like Minneapolis, where community groups built decentralized organizing structures around issues of safety and justice. This approach requires trusting people and letting go of some of the control organizations traditionally hold over messaging or branding. It means building a movement that belongs to everyday people, not only professional activists.

Movements are more sustainable when they become part of people’s daily lives rather than something that happens only during major political moments.

Q: How do you see women shaping a sustainable future while also benefiting from a green economy?

Research consistently shows that when women lead, leadership tends to be more democratic, inclusive, and community-focused. People often think of those qualities as soft skills, but they’re actually essential for building sustainable systems.

When we think about change, we have to remember that the unit of change is an individual person. We also can’t bring about a new future without changing the inputs that shape it. That means the way we pursue change matters just as much as the outcomes we want to achieve.

Issues like climate justice, bodily autonomy, immigration, and economic inequality are deeply interconnected. In places like Texas, where I live, policy decisions about reproductive rights, healthcare access, and immigration all intersect with broader political and economic systems.

Ultimately, a very small number of powerful individuals are making decisions that affect billions of people. Women’s leadership is essential in challenging those structures and building more inclusive systems.

Q: How does the women’s movement influence environmental protection and climate justice?

Women play a crucial role within communities, especially when systems fail. There’s a sociologist named Jessica Calarco who argues that many countries have social safety nets, but the United States often relies on women as the safety net. I think that’s true in many communities.

When systems break down, women organize mutual aid networks and support their neighbors. They help communities share resources and respond to crises. These contributions are often invisible, but they are incredibly important. For example, during climate disasters, women frequently organize neighborhood responses—sharing supplies, offering shelter, and coordinating recovery efforts. Organizations like Organizing Resilience also help fill the gaps when disaster response systems fall short. Groups like the Women’s March often help fundraise to support these community efforts.

Women play both visible roles in leadership and policy, and invisible roles in building the social infrastructure that keeps communities functioning.

Q: As we recognize International Women’s Day and look ahead to Earth Day, what message would you share about the role women can play in building hope for the future?

I would say two things: first, hope is a discipline. I go to the gym a lot. When you work out, you don’t see immediate results every day. You just have to stay committed to the habit and the discipline. Hope works the same way. You have to stay committed to it even when you don’t see immediate progress. Social media often thrives on negativity and doom-scrolling. That environment encourages people to abandon discipline and focus on discouraging narratives. Instead, we need emotional discipline and a clear commitment to the work we’re trying to do.

Second, take action where you are. You don’t need to come in like a hero and save the day. That’s not how change happens. Real change happens through contributions. Be where your feet are. Take action in your community and contribute in whatever ways you can. Make your contribution and practice the discipline of hope.

As we recognize the leadership and impact of women this International Women’s Day, it is also an opportunity to highlight the power of collaboration. Partnerships between organizations reflect a shared belief that lasting environmental progress happens when communities, sectors, and generations work together. Around the world, women are leading efforts to protect ecosystems, strengthen communities, and advocate for policies that safeguard both people and the planet. Their leadership shows that meaningful change often begins at the community level, where individuals organize, educate, and inspire others to act.

The spirit of collective action is central to Earth Day 2026 and its theme, Our Power, Our Planet. The campaign highlights how people everywhere — from classrooms and local neighborhoods to national institutions — can help drive environmental progress through education, advocacy, and community engagement.

Photo credit: Stephanie Keith | Women’s March

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As the most popular day of the year to buy flowers, Valentine’s Day drives business into the storefronts of thousands of florists and supermarkets across the world. And the flowers themselves? Also from around the world. 

Few flowers are grown anywhere near the shop where they’re sold. Roughly 80% of all flowers sold in the US are imported, mainly from South America, and the largest worldwide supplier in 2023 was the Netherlands. This long journey creates a massive carbon footprint, by plane it can cost 1 to 1.5 kg of CO2 emissions per stem

But flowers are not the only way to show that special someone. Here are five things to gift someone this Valentine’s Day to show them you care about them, and the Earth:

Budding Love Locally 

Most flowers bought in the US burn a lot of fuel in transit to the supermarket or local florist shop. Luckily, there is a more rosey option. Locally grown flowers take far less fuel to transport, support nearby farmers, and last longer because they don’t spend a week traveling after they’re cut.

Locally grown means a florist only sells flowers grown within a 100-mile radius of their shop. By buying from local farmers, you cut down on the costly carbon footprint it takes to transport imported flowers and support the local economy. Growing your own blooms or picking wildflowers from surrounding parks are also great options. 

P.S. I Love Handmade and Digital Cards

You did it in elementary school, so why not bring this creative tradition back? Valentine’s Day is one of the most popular days to send or give a card, with around 145 million exchanged on the holiday each year. But not every piece of a paper card can be recycled, like glitter, ribbons, felt, music boxes, and foil, so most cards will end up in a landfill. If you do buy a card, be sure to remove all these extra pieces before recycling.

So instead, make a homemade gift card. Cut out hearts from paper, write a heartfelt message, or paint or draw a picture for your loved one. If you’re far away from your special someone, a digital card can be just as memorable and doesn’t contribute to landfill clutter. 

Paper Petals 

Unlike real flowers, paper flowers never wither. They’re also a perfect craft for any little ones participating in the day as a present to Mom. 

There are many different ways to make these flowers. The most common way is using tissue paper and pipe cleaners for a 3D bouquet. You can also use old egg cartons to make a flower garland, hyacinths from construction paper, or a cupcake liner lollipop flower.

These are just a few of the many crafty ways to make a more permanent bouquet for your Valentine. Anything that makes use of craft supplies or everyday recyclables is a chance to keep something out of the landfill and brighten up the room at the same time.

Potted Plants

Instead of buying a flower that’ll die within a week, give one that’ll continue to blossom longer, and multiple times. Potted plants of any kind means you can watch your love grow… literally.

But if your special person doesn’t have a green thumb, don’t worry! There are plenty of easy-to-care-for plants you can get them. A snake plant, for instance, is a large fern-like plant with deep green leaves that stick straight into the air. Just tell the recipient to not water it too much and have them put it next to a window for some sun. Some other greenery options include the leafy ZZ Plant, which tolerates low light and dry conditions, or succulents which should be placed where they get lots of light and sparsely watered.

For a flowering plant, try the Peace Lily, which likes some light and just needs its soil kept moist. A potted zinnia will give a pop of color to one’s home and should only be watered when its soil is dry. African violets are compact and just need a bright window and enough water to keep the soil damp.There really is an option for everyone!

Memories Don’t Wilt 

What do you get for someone who has everything? Something to do!

A 2023 survey shows that 92% of Americans hope for gifted experiences, compared to 77% wanting a physical gift. Though that high percentage for the physical means you still shouldn’t skip on the chocolate this Valentine’s Day, maybe instead of the bouquet of flowers, you can gift something to remember.

Tickets to a concert or a play are classics. Some kind of class, from cooking to glass blowing, can be a way to get your loved one out of their comfort zone. If you’re celebrating on a budget, try taking your sweetheart on a picnic date at a nearby park. Pack each of your favorite foods, and if you want to be sappy, cut the sandwiches in the shape of a heart — just make sure to compost the chef scraps. 

Show Love for your Partner, and the Planet

No matter who you’re celebrating this love-filled holiday with, there’s always an opportunity to speak someone’s love language while also showing your love for the earth. EARTHDAY.ORG’s love language is an act of service, and we’re proud to plant hundreds of millions of trees to show our appreciation for the planet. If service is your love language too, and you want to help us reach a billion trees planted by 2060 (that’s 34 Valentine’s Day’s away) consider donating to our Canopy Tree Project to help show the earth some extra love.

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is cleared for use with attribution. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at fielder@earthday.org. Want more articles? Follow us on substack.

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The word “wetlands” usually conjures up images of water-logged marshes humming with frogs and insects, complete with patches of reeds and short, gnarled trees along the banks. Think back to your childhood; did you grow up near a pond or lake, dodge  your parents’ warnings in soggy bullrush groves, catch frogs, or fish for trout and perch?  Even if none of those scenarios stirred your memory, chances are you’ve seen or been near (or even in!) wetlands at some point in your life. As you mucked through those waters, eyeing black birds or turtles, did you realize just how precious those ecosystems were? Well, in celebration of World Wetlands Day, prepare to get your boots muddy!

Wetlands are water-dominated ecosystems with a wealth of diverse animal and plant life. Although they cover less than 10% of Earth’s surface, almost 40% of all plants and animals live or breed in wetlands. According to a broader definition provided by the U.N., wetlands may include all freshwater, marine, and coastal ecosystems, from lakes and rivers to coral reefs and underground aquifers to the humble marsh or swamp. 

Wetland ecosystems benefit and protect animals, plants, and humans. For the 60% of humans living near large bodies of water, wetlands provide key buffering zones along the coasts to protect us from flooding and absorb storm impacts. They also act as natural water filters, improving water quality for humans and wildlife by removing pollutants, sediment, and other waste. 

Unfortunately, for much of history, wetlands have been places to be avoided. Wetlands were treated as wasteland for people to drain, fill in, or dump waste into. In just the last 300 years, 87% of the world’s wetlands have disappeared, in part due to rising sea levels and human-led habitat destruction. And, as a result of climate change, remaining wetland ecosystems are grappling with harmful algae blooms. 

What Are Harmful Algae Blooms?

Harmful algae blooms (HABs) happen when colonies of algae expand out of control, resulting in toxic or harmful effects on surrounding wildlife and human beings. When blooms decompose, algae-eating microbes use extra oxygen while consuming them, leading to oxygen dead zones and marine animal die-offs. For instance, in 2020, masses of dead sea creatures washed up on beaches near Kamchatka. Initially believed to be the result of petroleum pollution, scientists later blamed a massive algae bloom, some several kilometers wide, off the coast.

“Red Ghosts” in China

On the southern coast of China, “red tides” of the algae Phaeocystis globosa blanket beaches. Known locally as the “red ghost,” P. globosa hit hard during the summer of 2025, with local officials warning people against visiting affected areas or consuming seafood from impacted regions for fear of illness. The dense algae also threatened to clog local power plants, shutting down generators and clogging cooling pipes. For marine life, rapidly depleting oxygen levels in and around the bloom increased risks of hypoxia or oxygen deficiency in the body. This often leads to mass marine die-offs.

The first documented harmful algae bloom in China occurred in 1933. Since 1980, HABs have increased exponentially: between 2014 and 2023, China recorded an average of 50 annual red tides. Thankfully, mitigation techniques like modified clay approaches which activate clay with elements like aluminum to absorb algal cells, have been used to deal with sudden blooms. While modified clay approaches are both highly effective and environmentally friendly, they have historically been expensive to produce. 

Poison in the Great Lakes 

While red ghosts haunt China, blue-green ghosts plague the Great Lakes in North America. Cyanobacteria blooms are now annual occurrences around the Great Lakes, especially in Lake Erie. Its depth and geography make it particularly vulnerable to harmful algae blooms. Bloom-induced oxygen dead zones tend to remain for months on end due to Erie’s stratification, or the tendency of the water to divide into distinct layers based on varying temperature and density.

Lake Erie’s recurring blue-green ghosts threaten the health and drinking water of nearly 11 million people. Communities in the area worry about access to unpolluted drinking water, harm to the region’s tourism industry, and whether or not they’ll be able to enjoy boating and swimming on the lake each summer.

One of the biggest contributors to Lake Erie’s algae blooms is fertilizer and manure runoff pollution from local farms and industry. This boatload of nutrients feeds harmful blooms, turning them into expansive monsters that threaten the quality of life of both humans and wildlife.

An Algae-clogged South African Reservoir

Between 2022 and 2023, NASA recorded images of harmful algae blooms at the Hartbeespoort Dam in South Africa. The reservoir is primarily used for irrigation and recreation, but swimming in HAB-infested waters may leave rashes on humans, while pets who drink the water may get sick and die. Accidentally swallowing infected water leads to a host of symptoms including stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle weakness, dizziness, and liver damage. Pets face more severe symptoms like seizures and difficulty breathing.

The marine life of Hartbeespoort Dam suffered too. In 2023, decreased levels of oxygen in the Hartbeespoort Dam due to harmful algae blooms contributed to mass fish die-offs.

Trends over time revealed key factors in algae bloom frequency and severity: algal growth was more severe near the western side of the reservoir due to golf course runoff and reduced water circulation. After high phosphorus levels in the early 1980s caused massive blooms, a bioremediation program—an environmentally friendly control system to reduce algae—was introduced to mitigate algae blooms. However, funding cuts decimated the program and algae blooms spiked again in the 2000s. Similar initiatives to control algae blooms are used around the world, from experimental seaweed biological control methods in Japan and the USA to deep-water upwelling in Norway, Chile, and Australia.

Report and Protect Your Community From Ghosts!

Our wetlands are precious and deserve our respect and protection. While wider issues stemming from anthropogenic climate change, habitat destruction, and uncaring world leaders may seem overwhelming, there are smaller steps individuals can take to help mitigate wetland damage. 

Try using phosphate-free detergents, refrain from flushing medications or chemicals, ensure pet waste is cleared, and that your lawn is kept at least 3-4 inches in length to avoid excessive runoff. If you notice a suspicious algae bloom, report it to your local environmental department by calling their number.

EARTHDAY.ORG’s Canopy Project is another way to get involved. Reforestation is an excellent way to give back to nature, providing more roots and biomass to absorb excess nutrient runoff and protect our wetland ecosystems. By donating to the Canopy Project, you’re helping to plant trees and protect waterways, from Dallas, Texas to Madagascar.

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is cleared for use with attribution. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at fielder@earthday.org. Want more articles? Follow us on substack.

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Every January people are encouraged to reinvent themselves. We make resolutions to eat better, move more, spend less, and waste less. We promise ourselves to quit plastic, go zero-waste, buy only ethical brands, and shrink our effect on climate change overnight. 

But then reality hits. 

We forget reusable bags for the grocery store. We can’t afford the most “eco-friendly” products, so we buy what we can. We live somewhere without public transportation. The guilt creeps in, and suddenly sustainability feels less like hope and more like failure. It can be so discouraging that sometimes we give up altogether. 

But here’s the truth the environmental movement needs to say out loud (shout it from a building if you have to): sustainability was never meant to be perfect. Real environmental progress has always come from collective, imperfect action, not individual perfection. 

The Problem with Eco-Perfectionism

In today’s conversations about climate change, our habits are often portrayed as an all-or-nothing lifestyle. Social media feeds are filled with images of perfectly organized zero-waste kitchens, thrifted capsule wardrobes, and influencers who appear to live without ever touching plastic, fossil fuels, or convenience.

While inspiring on the surface, these “perfect sustainability” narratives often do more harm than good for the general public. They set an impossibly high standard that many people (especially those juggling work, school, caregiving, financial constraints, or health challenges) simply cannot meet. 

This creates eco-perfectionism, a mindset where anything less than total commitment feels pointless. And once shame enters the picture, participation drops. People disengage not because they don’t care, but because they feel they can never do enough. 

When individuals are stuck criticizing their own grocery bags or coffee cups, attention shifts away from systemic issues like fossil fuel dependency, corporate accountability, and environmental policy. Guilt breaks down the movement instead of strengthening it. 

Why Progress Creates Momentum 

Real, lasting change does not begin with perfection, it begins with participation. Small, imperfect actions we can sustain over time matter because they build habits, awareness, and confidence. They can even grow into new habits, or hobbies, that feel meaningful but manageable rather than overwhelming. Someone who starts by reducing food waste may later become curious about composting. Someone who learns where their recycling  is processed may later be motivated to attend a city meeting in  support of local climate policy. Action creates momentum, and momentum fuels movements. 

History backs this up. Major environmental wins, from the Clean Air Act that cut smog in U.S. cities, to the recovery of bald eagle populations through wildlife protections, didn’t happen because everyone decided to make the “right” environmental choices overnight. They happened through gradual cultural shifts, persistent advocacy, and collective action. 
The goal isn’t to create flawless individuals. It’s to create an engaged public that pushes systems to change.

The goal isn’t to create flawless individuals. It’s to create an engaged public that pushes systems to change. 

Being Eco-Friendly Looks Different for Everyone 

One of the most important truths about environmentalism is that there is no single “right” way to be sustainable. People’s choices are shaped by income, location, ability, housing, access to transportation, and available resources. What’s possible for someone living in a walkable city with disposable income may be unrealistic for someone in a rural area or living paycheck to paycheck. Judging individual choices (how someone eats, shops, or travels) undermines solidarity. It turns a collective struggle into a competition and alienates the very people the movement needs most. 

An effective environmental movement meets people where they are. It creates pathways into action instead of perfection tests at the door. 

The climate crisis is not going to be solved by a handful of perfectly sustainable individuals. It will be addressed by millions of people taking imperfect, meaningful action together. Sustainability must allow room for learning, mistakes, and growth if it is to be inclusive and effective. Guilt keeps people stuck. Progress moves us forward by lowering barriers to entry for broad participation, building positive momentum through collective engagement. 

Take Action: Join the Movement for a Healthier Planet

As the New Year is under way, many of us are thinking about the changes we want to make; habits we hope to build, values we want to live by, and ways we can show up for the world. Earth Day 2026, centered on the theme “Our Power, Our Planet,” offers a chance to turn those intentions into action without the pressure of perfection. Whether your resolution looks like reducing waste when you can, learning about local environmental issues, voting for climate-forward policies, or supporting organizations working for systemic change, every step counts.

Just as the first Earth Day mobilized 20 million people to demand environmental protections, today’s people power, made up of small, imperfect actions taken by millions, can once again compel institutions and governments to respond. Environmental transformation doesn’t require flawless individuals; it requires participation.

Join us on April 18th, April 22nd, and throughout 2026 to preserve the progress we have made. You can alsocreate and post an event,share your own sustainable New Year’s resolution, sign up to receive updates on Earth Day, orbecome a partner of Earth Day 2026 and add your organization’s logo. Join the movement this year, because our shared voices and actions shape the planet’s future.

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is cleared for use with attribution. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at fielder@earthday.org. Want more articles? Follow us on substack.

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We all seem to have that one relative who (loudly) denies climate change at the dinner table — the one who points to snow on the ground in November to disprove global warming, calls climate change an international hoax, or insists climate change is part of “the natural planetary cycles.”

Sigh.

It may seem futile to argue with these family members — you could say anything to them, read them every landmark climate report backed by scientists, and they still won’t change their minds.

But engaging in this sort of respectful discourse with nay-saying climate deniers — even if your uncle blindly disputes every point you make — is a step in the right direction. Our job as environmental activists (or even just someone who cares about our collective future) is to squelch anti-science rhetoric as we encounter it. To not do so could mean backpedaling on so much of the progress that scientific research has advanced.

… Or maybe you’re just in the mood to argue. Whatever inspires you to myth-bust this holiday season, here are six ways to respond to your family’s climate-denying comments. In the most respectful, loving way, of course:

1. Uncle Frank says, “Climate change is natural and normal — we’ve seen fluctuations throughout history.”

The Earth has been through a lot in the last 4.5 billion years. And yes, high levels of carbon dioxide have been released naturally in the Earth’s history. Scientists believe that mass extinctions millions of years ago may be attributed to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide, long before humans were around to burn ridiculous amounts of fossil fuels.

What we’re experiencing with climate change today, however, is far different than any warming or cooling humanity has seen — in rate and in scale. Our present climate change is occurring at an unprecedented rate.

That some of the world’s mass extinctions may have been tied to CO2 shouldn’t be a relief, though; it should be a wakeup call. Unlike in the past, we are the ones doing the damage (through the out-of-control burning of fossil fuels), not the Earth.

The good news is it’s entirely within our control to phase out fossil fuels and avoid the most devastating impacts of unchecked climate change. We don’t have to be dinosaurs, and we definitely should stop burning them.

2. When your cousin Wilma says, “Scientists can’t even agree that climate change is happening.”

Well, actually… 97 percent of scientists agree that climate change is happening and that humans are the primary cause.

To put this into perspective, in 2020, NASA climate scientist Kate Marvel stated that we are more sure that humans are causing climate change than we are that smoking causes cancer.

Perhaps you’re thinking of indecisive politicians, many of whom are backed by the fossil fuel industry. Maybe that’s why leaders are still dragging their feet when it comes to climate action — or worse, vocally denying its existence in the face of rigorous scientific report, after report, after report.

The truth is politicians have known about human-made climate change since the 1960s and fossil fuel companies have known about it since the 1950s. But leaders in the highest-emitting countries are doing next to nothing to slow climate change, let alone stop it.

3. Grandpa says, “It’s so cold outside. Sure could use some of that global warming.”

Weather and climate are two different things. Weather fluctuates from day to day, while climate is defined by long-term trends and weather averages.

So, just because it’s cold right now doesn’t mean global warming isn’t happening. The last ten years have been the warmest ten years on record, and that’s counting the bitter polar vortexes that have driven Arctic air down across North America during that period. It’s only getting worse! NOAA announced this January that the summer of 2024 was the hottest summer on record and that this August was the third warmest summer in the US in the 131 year record. 

The Earth is on track to warm a predicted 1.5 degrees Celsius in the next five years, but winter’s not going to disappear altogether in many parts of the world. Record low temperatures will just become rarer.

And while you might not lose your winter altogether, unchecked climate change will bring other major weather shifts, in the form of extreme weather events like drought, wildfire, and hurricanes that will become more frequent and more intense in our warming world.

So, bundle up and brace yourself for the extreme weather climate change brings — including the intense cold.

4. Your mom says, “Plants and animals will adapt to the changes.” (Mom, stop embarrassing me!)

Scientists believe that current climate change is occurring too rapidly to allow for species to adapt. And this is about more than the pictures of starving polar bears you see on Facebook (sorry, Mom).

Climate change threatens 35% of animals and plants with extinction in the wild by 2050. At this point, with climate change not even at its fullest force, an estimated one million species are at risk of extinction. In 2023, estimates showed that two dozen species go extinct every day.

This is because climate change is compounding the effects of other already-existing detrimental human activities like overfishing and deforestation.

A U.N. report published in 2019 ranked the top five direct drivers of the disappearance of species. Climate change was third, behind changes in land and sea use and overexploitation of organisms (all human-caused).Currently, species are going extinct at 1,000-10,000 times the natural rate of extinction. That means we could lose 35 percent of the total species found on Earth by mid-century. Can you pass the cranberry sauce?

5. Uncle Frank is back at it: “Climate change is a good thing.“

Hold my eggnog.

For many reasons — economic, environmental, physiological — climate change will have a net negative impact on the world. Research even shows we’ve significantly underestimated the severity of climate change related destruction and the subsequent financial.

 In our warming world, global economic output is expected to decrease by up to 85 percent by 2100 under the 2 degree celsius climate change scenario. In estimates from 2021, the United States economy stands to lose seven percent of potential output, with poorer nations like the Philippines and Thailand predicted to see economic growth drop by 20 percent by 2050.

But enough with the economic hypotheticals. We’re already seeing how dangerous climate change is to plants and animals as well as humans.

Higher temperatures have increased heat-related deaths. Nearly 62,000 heat-related deaths were recorded in Europe during the summer of 2022. Higher temperatures also worsen air quality, and in 2021, higher temperatures were connected to increases in some violent crimes.

But what’s just as scary are the statistics on natural disasters: Hurricanes are reaching new extremes — with the proportion of categories 4 and 5 expected to increase because of climate change. Wildfires, too, are claiming larger burn areas and increasing in intensity.

What’s so great about that?

6. Your stepdad says, “It won’t affect me or anyone I know.”

Climate impacts are already here and now, and they will only get worse if we continue to do nothing. Climate change affects individuals disproportionately, hurting the poorest and most vulnerable communities worse than others, so you may just be feeling a buffer from your comparative privilege.

Environmental justice recognizes that climate change isn’t just a physical problem — it’s an ethical one, too. The individuals and communities who will be most affected by climate change are the ones contributing the least to it.

But this is also a generational issue — you may not have to bear the brunt of our collective inaction on climate change, but let’s try to have some empathy for future generations (even if you don’t understand TikTok or selfies).

Your great grandchildren — who are currently on track to inherit a world 2.7 degrees warmer than yours and feel its effects at every stage of their life — will have to clean up the mess your generation made in their fight for survival. They’ll grow up in a world with more air pollution, more vector-borne diseases, and more extreme weather events to deal with.

The future of humanity is on the line

In conclusion, you can’t choose your family, but you can try to change their mindsets on climate change. Some of these arguments may stick; some may go in one ear and out the other.

These conversations aren’t easy, but we should try to engage in them when we can. After all, the future of humanity is on the line.

Perhaps if you convince them, your newly informed, ex-climate-denying relatives will even take action for Earth Day in 2025. That action — whether it’s participating in a cleanup, having a plant-based meal, or attending a teach-in — can help put us on a course to a greener, more sustainable future.

And if that happens, you’ll definitely have something interesting to talk about next holiday.

This blog was originally published on November 25, 2019 and updated on December 25, 2025.

The post 6 Arguments to Refute Your Climate-Denying Relatives This Holiday appeared first on Earth Day.

My favorite movie growing up was How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It is still the first movie put on every December. But Jim Carrey’s performance, though objectively stellar, is actually not the main draw. Rather the message; Christmas and the holidays are not about the things we buy, but the people we have around us. 

Somewhere along the way, this time of year has gone from being about spending time with family and appreciation for what we have, to being a massive shopping spree. The average American spends nearly $1000 just on gifts during the holiday season. The United Kingdom, Germany and France top Christmas and holiday spending in Europe for 2025, with a projected 90, 70 and 60 billion pounds sterling spend anticipated in shops and online. 

So this holiday season, EARYHDAY.ORG, challenges you to ditch the shopping and do something less boring instead! Here are 7 things to do this Christmas and holiday season:

1. I’ll Be Cleaning Up for Christmas

Community cleanups have been around as long as the first Earth Day in 1970, and they’re still one of the most immediate ways to make a visible impact in your neighborhood. With the world producing over 400 million tonnes of plastic a year (and rising), every piece you pull out of the environment matters.

Cleanups do more than make a spot look pretty. Removing trash before it breaks apart can stop up to 99% of microplastics from ever reaching rivers and oceans. There is an added bonus too that this behavior spreads! If just 5% of a community joins in, research shows the habit can go viral. 

It’s ridiculously easy to join us on clean ups: grab a bag, step outside, and start picking up trash. Or make it official by joining an EARTHDAY.ORG cleanup near you. Check our Global Cleanup Map, team up with friends or family, and give the planet a little holiday cheer. It builds community, is good exercise after all the festive food and will make you feel better, plus the planet will thank you!

2. O’ Christmas Tree, I Plant Thee

If you want a holiday gift that “pays” dividends for decades, plant a tree. One tree can absorb about 10-48 pounds of CO₂ a year, trees help to filter polluted air, cool urban neighborhoods, boost biodiversity, and even raise property values. Basically, trees are multitasking climate superheroes that don’t ask for anything in return except sunlight, water and the right to exist!

But they’re disappearing fast. About 10.9 million hectares (108,000 km²) of forest are cleared each year, which is roughly the size of Iceland every single year. Urban development, agriculture, and logging are stripping away the very forests that are vital to literally millions of species, including human beings.. That’s why EARTHDAY.ORG is working to plant 60 million trees by 2030 through the Canopy Tree Project.

You can be a tree hero. Donate to help us plant a tree where it’s needed most, or plant one in your own yard or community. It’s inexpensive, long-lasting, and scientifically proven to make the planet healthier… one root system at a time.

3. No More Tinsel 

Plastic isn’t just polluting the planet; it’s polluting our bodies. Microplastics have now been found in human blood, lungs, placentas, breast milk, and even brain tissue. Once inside the body, they don’t just sit there innocently minding their own business. Plastic particles can carry chemicals that act as endocrine disruptors, and studies have linked these chemicals to increased risks of cancer, disruption to fertility, and respiratory disease. No one signed up for the $1.25 trillion in health related damages globally that plastic chemicals cause every year. 

During the holidays, plastic is everywhere, from tree decorations, to sparkle‑wrapped gifts to disposable cups at parties, even our pet’s stocking stuffers are probably plastic. A single load of laundry can releases up to 700,000 microplastic fibers because so many of our clothes are partially made of polyester, a plastic textile. 

To reduce the annual plastic explosion this holiday season, buy natural fiber materials, such as cotton, and wash holiday sweaters and festive outfits with synthetic fibers (which are all made of plastic chemicals) less frequently. 

We want to give our kids the magic of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza, and that should not involve plastic. Babies ingest ten times more microplastics than adults, largely from bottles and toys, 90% of which are made of plastic. Choose stainless steel or glass baby bottles, wrap gifts for kids in cloth or recycled paper instead of plastic-coated wrapping, and vacuum often.

Even festive décor can contribute: many ornaments, tinsel, and disposable cups are plastic. Swap them for wooden, glass or stainless steel ornaments, cups and tableware to cut exposure while keeping your celebrations beautiful. If you are sick of plastics – please take 2 minutes and sign our Global Plastics Treaty Petition to demand meaningful action on plastic production from the world’s government’s. . 

4. Tis the Season to Re-Gift Clothes

Before you click “add to cart” on another holiday outfit, take a quick peek at your closet. About 70% of the clothes in there are probably made of polyester, which is really just plastic spun into thread. It’s cheap, durable, and everywhere… but it comes with a massive environmental price tag.

Polyester is made from fossil fuels, and producing it requires an estimated 342 million barrels of oil every year; that’s enough oil to fill around 16 million Olympic swimming pools every year! The fashion industry as a whole pumps out more than 700 million tons of CO₂ annually, and synthetic fibers shed microplastics at every stage of their life. The pollution from our clothes ends up in our waterways, our air, our soil, and then our bodies.

Fast fashion only fuels the problem. Brands release hundreds of thousands of new items each year, encouraging us to treat clothes like disposable decor. The average person buys 60% more clothing than they did 15 years ago, but only wears the items 6-8 times before discarding them. The result? Over 92 million tons of textile waste each year and mountains of microplastics that will outlive us all.

This holidays, skip the fast-fashion frenzy. Regift clothes you no longer wear, upcycle pieces you already own, host a swap with friends, or give gently used items new life with someone who will love them. You’ll save money, avoid adding more plastic to the planet, and cut down on the emissions tied to producing something you already have.

If you want to go bigger, join EARTHDAY.ORG’s Fashion for the Earth campaign and demand that the industry clean up its act. The planet, and your closet space, will thank you.

5. Ditch the Holiday Ham for Plant Protein 

Holiday dinners don’t have to revolve around a giant glazed animal. Plant proteins are having a moment, and honestly, they’re bringing better stats to the table than most meats. Many of them pack just as much protein, use a fraction of the land and water, and produce dramatically fewer emissions. Plus, they spare you the “I need a nap” feeling that usually hits around dessert.

There’s a plethora of possibilities, and here are a few options. Take tempeh, tofu’s crunchier cousin with a 31-grams-per-cup protein punch and built-in probiotics thanks to fermentation that supports gut health and digestion. Lentils deliver 18 grams per cooked cup and so much folate  (90% of what is recommended daily) that nutritionists basically applaud when you open the bag and support your red blood cell health. Even beans of all kinds bring about 15 grams of protein per cup and come with fiber, iron, potassium, which support heart health, digestion, and even helps ease PMS and mood symptoms. And they have a soil-saving superpower called nitrogen fixation, where they pull nitrogen from the air and enrich the soil which helps farmers rely less on synthetic fertilizers. 

Replacing even one holiday meal with plant proteins can cut your diet’s environmental impact dramatically. Livestock is responsible for roughly 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and shifting toward plant-based proteins remains one of the simplest ways to shrink your carbon footprint without sacrificing flavor or tradition.

6. Movie Night is Green 

If you are scrolling through your streaming apps with nothing to watch, I have a recommendation: Underreported Earth: Tree Tales. Hosted by The Guardian’s Tracy McVeigh, three investigative journalists, each supported by the Pulitzer Center, share how they uncovered powerful stories about deforestation and conservation in Brazil and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ana Bottallo, a science and health reporter from Brazil, highlights the mangrove forests of northern Brazil and how predatory fishing practices threaten them. Her reporting spotlighted Indigenous communities leading conservation efforts, ultimately driving new protections and collaboration with government agencies.

Elisângela Mendonça, formerly of The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, investigated illegal beef and collagen sourcing in the Amazon. Her work revealed ranches clearing Indigenous land, prompting at least one corporation to change its supply chain practices and encouraging consumers to stay vigilant about product origins.

Josephine Moulds, reporting from the Democratic Republic of Congo, exposed threats to the Congo Basin rainforest from government fossil fuel drilling auctions. She highlighted both corruption in the auction process and the crucial role Indigenous communities play in protecting their ancestral forests.

These stories show how journalism can drive real-world change and why defending forests matters everywhere. The conversations can be watched on EARTHDAY.ORG on our YouTube, Facebook, and X accounts. Facebook: Ep.1, Ep.2,Ep.3, YouTube:  Ep.1, Ep.2, Ep.3, and X: Ep. 1, Ep. 2, Ep. 3. 

You can support forests locally or globally by donating to EARTHDAY.ORG’s Canopy Tree Project, signing up for updates, or volunteering. Stay informed, get inspired, and make a difference for trees everywhere.

Looking for some lighter fare? Check out these environmental films to watch with your family,

7. Grow Your Own Mistletoe 

As the cost of food and living continues to rise, you may be looking for ways to save. Today, investing in a home garden can save money: a $70 investment in seeds and supplies can yield roughly $600 worth of produce. But your wallet won’t be the only thing helping you; so will your health and mother Earth.

Gardening provides access to fresh, chemical-free produce while reducing reliance on plastic packaging, linked to many health issues, and limiting exposure to toxins. It also helps lower food waste, promotes mental well-being, and encourages physical activity. Gardening can also contribute to sustainability by reducing the carbon footprint associated with industrial agriculture and long-distance food transportation.

Whether for fresh produce, mental health, or sustainability, gardening is an easy and impactful way to take positive action at home.

This Christmas and holiday season, let’s remember that the best gifts aren’t things; they’re actions that make a difference. From planting a tree, ditching plastic use to regifting clothes, to choosing plant-based meals, to growing your own garden, every choice counts. Celebrate with intention, give your time and care, and make the season merry not just for your family, but for the planet too.

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is cleared for use with attribution. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at davies@earthday.org or fielder@earthday.org. Want more articles? Follow us on substack.

The post 7 Things to Do Other than Shop this Holiday Season appeared first on Earth Day.

Gifts are one of the biggest drivers of holiday waste. Packaging, boxes, wrapping paper, bows, plastic clamshells, tape, and shipping materials often end up in the trash moments after presents are opened. According to one report, about 40 percent of holiday waste comes from packaging materials like wrap, boxes, and bows. Every December, Americans generate around 25% more waste than in any other month, adding up to 5.8 million extra tons of trash. On average, that represents about 36 more pounds of waste per person during December, compared to a typical month. In the U.K., during the Christmas season, around 114,000 tonnes of plastic packaging are sent to landfill (rather than recycled). What’s worse is that most of this trash is plastic that can’t be recycled. However, there are ways to reduce human and environmental exposure to plastics.

Reducing Plastics in Meals

Food and kitchen practices are a major source of holiday plastics, not only because of surplus meals but also due to the plastics used in preparation, serving, and storage. Disposable plates, cups, cutlery, plastic chopping boards, utensils, take-out containers, plastic food wrap, freezer bags, and packaging all contribute to massive plastic trash and microplastic contamination. In the U.S., plastic containers and packaging accounted for the largest share of plastic tonnage in municipal solid waste – over 14.5 million tons annually. Single‑use plastics (like disposable plates, cups, utensils, and containers) remain among the top contributors to plastic waste that ends up as litter or in waterways.

Studies show that plastic food containers, especially when heated (e.g., microwaving, hot takeout, warm soups), can release microplastics and nanoplastics. In one study, a single square centimeter of a polypropylene container released millions of microplastics and billions of nanoplastics merely through microwave heating or long-term storage. These micro‑ and nanoplastics are a concern not only because they are tiny particles that enter the environment, but also because plastic often contains additives (like bisphenol A, phthalates, plasticizers, flame‑retardants) that can leach into food and drinks and have been linked to illnesses like endocrine disruption, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, neurotoxicity, and cancer. Populations such as infants are especially at risk.

By switching to reusable items such as plates, cups, cutlery, and storage containers made of glass, metal, silicone, or ceramic, families can dramatically reduce plastic use during holiday meals. Avoid single-use plastic items and packaging, and opt for biodegradable materials instead.

Reducing Plastics in Gifts

Holiday gifts are a major source of plastic waste, from plastic-coated wrapping paper, tape, ribbons, bows, and glittery or metallic embellishments to shipping materials like bubble wrap, plastic airbags, foam peanuts, polybags, and labels. In the U.S., more than 300,000 tons of wrapping paper are discarded every holiday season. Product packaging also contributes heavily, including molded plastic toy shells, electronics clamshells, protective films, chargers, cosmetics, and personal care kits in rigid plastic boxes, and food gift baskets wrapped in shrink wrap. Online shopping adds extra packaging too; it produces 4.8 times more packaging waste than shopping in person. Even receipts, often coated with BPA or BPS thermal paper, add to the problem. Retail bags, though declining due to bag bans, and online shopping packaging further increase plastic use.

But surveys show that although a large majority of Americans see holiday waste as a problem, only about 25% take active steps to recycle or reduce holiday packaging.

When buying physical products, selecting items with minimal or compostable packaging and consolidating shipments helps cut excess plastic. Choosing gifts from local artisans, experiences, or digital items can also minimize packaging waste. Avoiding tiny plastic gadgets that break quickly and opting for consumables like snacks, lip balms, artisanal soaps, or practical items reduces unnecessary waste. 

To reduce plastic wrapping, people can wrap using recyclable kraft paper, newspaper, old maps, or fabric wraps (like furoshiki), and replace plastic tape with paper tape or twine. Reusing packaging materials such as boxes and bubble wrap, supporting eco-friendly retailers, and properly sorting recyclables further prevent plastics from entering landfills. Creative reusable options like fabric wraps, scarves, or decorative tins provide sustainable alternatives while keeping gifts festive.

Reducing Plastics in Decorations

Up to 75% of post-holiday cleanup waste comes from decorations such as lights, tinsel, ornaments, and novelty items. Many holiday lights are discarded each year, with estimates showing that as many as 80% of light strands are thrown away rather than recycled. Christmas trees also contribute heavily, as Americans purchase between 25 and 30 million real or artificial trees annually, many of which end up in landfills along with plastic ornaments and other decor. Common sources of plastic waste include tinsel, plastic ornaments and their packaging, artificial trees made of PVC, insulation and wiring in LED lights, disposable décor like plastic tablecloths and banners, party favors, and microplastic-producing items such as confetti and glitter.

To reduce this plastic burden, it is best to reuse existing decorations whenever possible. Choosing high-quality or natural décor, such as pine branches, dried fruit, popcorn strings, or cinnamon sticks, can replace plastic items and last for many years. Cloth or paper table coverings, real plates, cups, and utensils help avoid disposable plastics, and asking catering services for bulk containers instead of foam or individually wrapped items further cuts waste. Avoiding tinsel, glitter, and other microplastic-producing materials, using biodegradable confetti, and borrowing decorations or party supplies from friends or community groups are additional ways to reduce holiday plastic waste and make celebrations more sustainable.

Recycling and Responsible Disposal

Some things cannot be reused, so recycling and proper waste disposal make a big difference during the holidays. Many of the items we throw away, like cardboard boxes, plain paper, glass, metal, can be recycled if sorted correctly and not contaminated by food waste or non‑recyclable materials. In recent years in the U.S., around 71-76% of cardboard and 65-69% of paper used for shipping and packaging have been recovered for recycling. This shows that recycling infrastructure works when we take the time to use it correctly.

Despite this, a lot of holiday waste ends up in landfills because of improper sorting, wrapping paper with non‑recyclable coatings, plastic tape, or contaminated food packaging. One guide estimates that up to 80% of holiday waste could be reused, repurposed, recycled, or composted if carefully managed.

To make recycling count, it helps to flatten and bundle cardboard boxes, separate plastic film, clean out food containers, separate recyclables from trash, and avoid contaminating recycling bins with non‑recyclable items. If your local recycling program does not accept certain plastics or waste types, consider drop‑off centers or reuse options for plastics, lights, and decorations.

You do not need to give up the joy and magic of the holidays to be mindful about waste. Reducing plastic use, rethinking consumption, and being intentional about disposal can help protect Earth’s resources while preserving the warmth and generosity that make the season special.

The post 4 Ways to Reduce Plastics This Holiday Season appeared first on Earth Day.

Black Friday has become one of the most recognizable consumption events of the year. In the U.S. it falls straight after a major holiday, Thanksgiving, and has almost become part of the celebrations. But the flood of promotions and rapid-fire sales can feel overwhelming, especially at a time when many households face financial and emotional strain. 

Amid this rush, Buy Nothing Day offers a pause. It invites reflection on what is really valuable and asks us to take into consideration the environmental cost of our rampant buying. For example, as of 2020,  the global fashion and retail sectors accounted for roughly 10 percent of global carbon emissions and in 2019 alone the fashion industry produced nearly 92 million tons of textile waste.

A lot of this is driven by Black Friday and holiday shopping in general amplifies a variety of negative environmental effects, not just through the need for increased manufacturing, and use of resources and energy but also through the waste created by packaging, often plastic, and the greenhouse gas emissions caused by freight and shipping. 

In 2022, e-commerce produced an estimated 3.88 billion pounds of plastic packaging waste worldwide that will persist for centuries. Every item we purchase carries emissions tied to extraction, manufacturing, and transport. e

Buy Nothing Day reminds us that celebrations don’t require high spending or shopping stress  —  they can begin with small, intentional actions that support personal well-being and the health of the planet. Here are a few gentle, accessible ways individuals and families can honor the season and the planet.

Begin with Stillness

In a season dominated by constant notifications and advertising, nature offers a counterbalance — a reminder that the natural world moves at a slower and steadier pace. So reconnect with the outdoors. Even a five-minute walk lowers stress, supports cardiovascular health, and brings your attention back to something grounding. Observing seasonal changes helps reconnect you to nature – a connection often is lost in the rush of the holidays.

As you walk, notice the sound of the wind, the crunch of leaves or the rhythm of your neighborhood. These details will deepen your awareness of your surroundings. When we pay attention to the world and community around you, it becomes easier to make choices that support your overall well-being and the planet’s too. Presence in nature naturally fosters stewardship.

Inviting a friend or family member can turn this simple act into a community experience. Sharing time outside builds relationships without spending and offers a meaningful alternative to shopping. In that shared slowness, you create space for connection, setting a tone of intention that can carry through the season.

Care Through Re-Loving

Some of the most climate-friendly actions are also the most affordable and accessible. Extending the lifespan of items we already own naturally reduces demands on resources like water and energy. For example, keeping clothing in circulation for just nine additional months will lower its carbon, water and waste footprint by around 20 percent. 

Re-loving what we own also reshapes our relationship with material goods. Mending a sweater or polishing shoes becomes a practice of stewardship, honoring the resources and labor that went into their creation. This shift encourages gratitude and re-centers attention on appreciation instead of accumulation.

Repair rituals also slow us down. They invite patience and focus, creating a sense of calm in a season that often encourages urgency. These everyday acts show that sustainability doesn’t need to be dramatic or costly — it can be quiet, intentional, and transformative.

Create From What You Already Have

Green living isn’t only about restraint; it can be deeply creative. Buy Nothing Day encourages projects that use existing materials, reminding us that innovation thrives on simplicity. Repurposing jars into candles, turning saved paper into cards, or cooking a shared meal from pantry staples all reduce waste and encourage resourcefulness.

Creativity with what’s on hand challenges the assumption that meaningful experiences require new purchases. Instead of buying craft kits or decorations, using existing materials highlights the potential already in our homes. This nurtures a mindset of sufficiency, an understanding that we often have enough.

Sharing a homemade card or crafting with others turns sustainability into something communal and fun. Whether the final product is polished or imperfect, the experience becomes a celebration all of its own.

Share Generously: Swap, Exchange, and Secondhand Giving

Gift-giving remains central to many holiday traditions, yet gifts don’t need to be new to be meaningful. Hosting a neighborhood swap for books, clothing, kitchen supplies, plants or toys extends the life of existing items and strengthens community ties. These exchanges reduce demand for new manufacturing and show how generosity and sustainability can align.

Swaps also help address a major waste challenge. In the United States, packaging and containers make up nearly one-third of municipal waste. Choosing secondhand gifts or participating in exchanges reduces this burden and promotes a culture of reuse.

Secondhand gifts carry something new items often lack: a story. A well-loved book, a thriving houseplant, or a gently used mug comes with a history and passing it forward becomes an act of connection. These gifts offer warmth that no plastic-wrapped package can replicate.

Slowing Down the Season

Amid constant invitations to buy more and move faster, rest becomes a quiet act of resistance. Moments of stillness—sharing tea, breathing intentionally, or engaging in a slow conversation—help recalibrate our rhythms away from urgency. Mindful practices reduce anxiety and strengthen emotional well-being, providing balance in an otherwise overwhelming season.

Choosing presence also reshapes our experience of holiday joy. Rather than measuring celebration by purchases or busyness, we focus on the quality of connection and the depth of each moment. Slowing down creates space for gratitude—for people, for nature, and for the fleeting moments that might otherwise go unnoticed.

The Deeper Purpose: Why Buy Nothing Day Matters

Buy Nothing Day encourages consumers to slow down — not as a rejection of joy, but as an invitation to rediscover it. Each intentional choice — repairing an item, sharing instead of buying or simply resting — creates ripples that extend beyond one weekend. 

When enough people adopt thoughtful habits, cultural expectations shift. Buy Nothing Day becomes not a restriction, but an invitation to cultivate balance and integrate joy, connection, and ecological responsibility into the season. Let this season begin with peace, one quiet, intentional act at a time.Prepping for the holidays? Here are facts that you can use to refute your climate-denying relatives. Sign up for our email list to get more articles delivered straight to your inbox.

his article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is cleared for use with attribution. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at davies@earthday.org or fielder@earthday.org. Want more articles? Follow us on substack.

The post Embrace Buy Nothing Day appeared first on Earth Day.

Each year, Americans give thanks and proceed to roast about 46 million turkeys. Most people believe it’s a deep-rooted tradition with roots in the “first Thanksgiving”, but that’s not quite true.

In fact, turkey became the star of this particular holiday less because of Pilgrim folklore and more because the 19th-century willed it into tradition by Sarah Josepha Hale, a writer and editor who relentlessly campaigned to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday. Hale is often described as the  “Godmother of Thanksgiving” and it was Hale who spent years romanticizing roast turkey as the essential New England feast. It was partly due to her efforts that President Abraham Lincoln, in 1863, declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. By then turkey was so closely associated with the idea of Thanksgiving that the rest of the country eagerly copied Hale’s menu. 

Before industrial farming and refrigeration took over, thousands of birds were literally walked to their death in massive “turkey trots” across America. 

Today, this “tradition” looks very different. Most U.S. turkeys are reared up in packed, windowless sheds and selectively bred to bulk up fast (which is why these birds can no longer fly). Because they’re bred to be so unnaturally large, they can’t even mate on their own, breeding is done by artificial insemination. Commercial turkeys’ lives last only about 14–20 weeks, before they are sent to the slaughterhouse.

So this year – Instead of the President pardoning two turkeys, why don’t we pardon them all? Here are nine tasty and soul soothing protein alternatives you can try this Thanksgiving to go full cold turkey on eating turkey!

1) Tempeh, Tofu’s Crunchy Cousin

Tempeh is tofu’s crunchier cousin; the one who definitely brings their homemade kombucha to Thanksgiving. Made by fermenting whole soybeans, it clocks in at 31 grams of protein per cup, making it one of the highest-protein plant foods around. Thanks to fermentation, it’s also full of probiotics that support gut health and digestion. 
Because it’s dense and chewy, it makes an ideal stand-in for meat, and like other soy products, it uses far less land, water, and energy to produce than animal proteins. This Thanksgiving, you can make a stuffed butternut squash with tempeh that will make even the turkey lovers get curious.

2) The Classic Nut Roast!

Thanksgiving isn’t complete without nuts and seeds which deliver protein, healthy fats, and festive flair all in one bite. Peanuts pack 38 grams of protein per cup, almonds 30 grams, pistachios and cashews 25 grams each.  Nuts also come loaded with healthy fats, vitamin E, and magnesium, helping reduce inflammation, and improve heart health.

A simple nut roast is a humble yet hearty vegetarian centerpiece for Thanksgiving, made by combining a blend of chopped nuts, breadcrumbs, sautéed onions, and garlic. The mixture is enriched with fragrant herbs like thyme and parsley, held together by eggs or a flaxseed substitute, and seasoned with salt, pepper, and sometimes a savory touch like Marmite or soy sauce. Shaped into a loaf, it is baked until its exterior is golden brown and slightly crispy, while the inside remains moist and tender. 

The aroma of toasted nuts and herbs will fill your kitchen as it cooks, promising a comforting, rich dish that pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables and gravy. This straightforward preparation highlights the natural flavors and textures of the nuts, delivering satisfying, savory notes in every slice. It’s delicious with cranberry and all the trimmings and comes cruelty free.

3) Lentils are the Tiny Titans of Thanksgiving

Lentils may be tiny, but they pack the kind of stats that make nutritionists weep with joy. Just one cooked cup delivers 18 grams of protein along with a whopping 90% of your daily folate, a nutrient essential for red blood cell health and pregnancy support. Besides, folate lentils provide iron, magnesium, and B vitamins which are crucial for energy and immune support and they are  also loaded with fiber to keep digestion on track and help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. 

Environmentally, lentils are low-impact heroes — they require very little water, grow quickly, and naturally improve soil health as they grow. Plus lentils are affordable and you can buy them in cans or dried!  If you are a fan of Beef Wellington, you can make a really cool vegetarian alternative with lentils –  vegetarian Lentil and Butternut Squash Wellington is not only delicious but cost effective too. .

4) This Protein has Bean Around the Block 

Talk about proteins being a human diet staple and you have to talk beans!  Beans have been a reliable food source for more than 9,000 years, and honestly, they deserve a lifetime achievement award for service to the human gut.

One cup brings in about 15 grams of protein, plus fiber, iron, magnesium, and potassium which support heart health, digestion, and even helps ease PMS and mood symptoms. 

Beans are also soil-restoring superstars thanks to nitrogen fixation, a natural process that allows them to pull nitrogen from the air and enrich the soil so farmers can use fewer chemical fertilizers. They’re water-efficient, budget-friendly, and wildly popular; global bean consumption is on track to hit almost 20 million metric tons by 2026, with the industry expected to top $10 billion by 2033. Now that’s bean business!

This Thanksgiving, you can have some fun and impress everyone with White Bean Sage Vegan “Meat”balls with Pomegranate Mandarin Sauce.

5) Only Chicks We’re Having are Chickpeas

Another plant protein that’s been around for ages is chickpeas, which have been a staple in human diets for nearly 10,000 years: wayyyy longer than Thanksgiving! 

They were first domesticated around 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent, an area that includes parts of modern-day Syria. Chickpeas spread throughout the ancient world, cultivated in the Middle East, South Asia, Ethiopia, and the Mediterranean basin. Archaeological evidence shows chickpeas were part of diets in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt from at least 3300 BCE onwards.

With nearly 15 grams of protein per cup, along with fiber, folate, iron, and magnesium, they’re a nutritional win from every angle. They’ve been shown to reduce hunger by up to 70% compared to refined carbs, making them a perfect foundation for a hearty holiday loaf. 
They also help lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and, like other legumes, enrich the soil through  nitrogen fixation, while using relatively little water to grow.  Chickpeas are basically the triple threat of plant proteins: filling, healthy, and Earth-approved.

6) Switching it up with Edamame

Edamame are in fact immature or baby soybeans, But there’s nothing junior about the protein they provide – 17 grams per cup, and they contain all nine of essential amino acids that your body can’t make on its own. 

They’re also rich in fiber, calcium, iron, and antioxidants, all of which support heart health and may even help ease menopause symptoms. A diet high in soy foods has been linked to lower risks of certain cancers, and like all soy crops, growing edamame uses far fewer resources than livestock. 

They cook in minutes and taste great straight out of the pod, making them the snack hero you didn’t know you needed. This Thanksgiving, put edamame & mung bean pasta with caramelized onions on the table.

7) Tofu, the Shape-Shifting Sponge

Tofu may have a reputation for being bland, but hear us out: it’s a 22-grams-of-protein-per-cup, flavor-absorbing, sustainability superstar. Made by pressing soy milk into soft blocks, tofu brings iron, calcium, and magnesium to the nutrient party, along with isoflavones that may improve bone health, reduce hot flashes, and support heart health.

Tofu is great fried in the air fryer and delicious with stir fried vegetables and sweet sticky chilli sauce. Plus tofu is very affordable!

8) Seitan (aka Wheat Meat That’ll Have You Questioning if It’s Really Vegan)

Seitan is the turkey stand-in with the most “wait, is this meat?” energy. Made from wheat gluten, it’s incredibly high in protein; about 64 grams per cup, rivaling chicken in density. 

It’s also low in fat, calories, and carbohydrates, all while soaking up marinades like a champ. It’s perfect for roasts, cutlets, or anything that begs for gravy. While it’s not gluten-free, it is one of the most convincing meat textures in the plant kingdom.

9) Already Planning for Peas

Peas often already find themselves on our Thanksgiving plates, so why not make them more than just a third rate side dish. Peas serve upwards of 8 grams of protein per cup and are high in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. 

Peas grow well in cool climates with minimal weekly water, making them one of the most sustainable protein crops globally. 

They’re great for mashed pea “purée,” pea patties, or stuffing add-ins. Plus, their subtly sweet, fresh taste pairs beautifully with all the rich, cozy flavors of a holiday table — proving that sometimes the greenest dishes pack the biggest punch.

Now that you know all the possibilities, are you ready to take turkey off the menu?

Curious about the bigger picture behind the foods on your plate? Check out our new series, made with the Pulitzer Center –  UNDERREPORTED EARTH: “TREE TALES” – you can watch the TRAIL here.  Tracy McVeigh from The Guardian, speaks to three incredible Pulitzer supported investigative journalists, who dive into the global impact of meat and resource extraction on forests and communities in Brazil and the Congo Basin. 

Elisangela Mendonça, reveals how the Amazon rainforest is threatened by the beef and bovine collagen industries; Josephine Moulds, explores how fossil fuel auctions put the rainforests of the Congo Basin at risk; and Ana Bottallo, documents local communities defending Amazonian mangroves from predatory fishing.

Episodes are now out across EARTHDAY.ORG social media on X: (Episode 3: X, Episode 2  X , Episode 1: X), Facebook: Ep.1,Ep.2, Ep.3  and YouTube:  Ep.1, Ep.2, Ep.3.  For more information on sustainable food systems and regenerative agriculture, click here.

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