Today, as we wrap up Tu BiShvat, we look ahead to the first Earth Day. In 1970, 20 million Americans took to the streets to advocate for clean water, clean air, and the common good for our shared home. Over the following years, this clear and determined public pressure helped usher in the modern environmental movement, with the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of laws such as the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts. 

This year’s Earth Day theme, Our Power, Our Planet, focuses on how community action can build progress. As we gear up for 2026, we’ll examine how faith traditions, at their best, are grounded in a more sustainable future for our children and future generations. We’ll also feature ways your community can get involved, leading up to and during our global week of actions, beginning Saturday, April 18^th, and on Earth Day, April 22^nd.

February’s Featured Faith Tradition

Within the Jewish faith, Tu BiShvat, or the “New Year for Trees”, honors Jewish values such as tikkun olam, repairing the world, and tzedakah, charitable giving, by planting trees. This year’s observance began at sundown of February 1, 2026, and goes through the evening of February 2. It’s a time when Jewish people from across the globe recommit to their relationship with the natural world, using trees as a symbol of renewal.

Tu BiShvat can be traced to Jewish Kabbalist rituals in the sixteenth century, and, in its relatively modern observance, beginning in 1908, it recognizes the tree as a metaphor for one’s connection to the Jewish faith. As Jewish immigrants, like my great-grandparents, settled in the United States, Tu BiShvat became one way the Jewish community stayed grounded in their faith. 

I can imagine my grandmother’s family, newly arrived immigrants to the United States, gathering for a Tu BiShvat seder, a ritual meal of fruits and nuts, symbols of the tree’s bounty, as a way to remind themselves of both their rootedness and their connectedness while finding their place in a new land. 

The Tu BiShvat Seder plate symbolizes the seven species referenced in the last book of the Torah, or Hebrew Bible: “a land of wheat and barley, of vines, figs, and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey” (Deuteronomy 8:8).

Mid-February, perhaps not during a bitter cold spell, but in other parts of the world, is when tree buds first start to appear, reminding us that winter will end, and rebirth and hope are not lost. Tu BiShvat allows us to put Jewish values of repairing the world and charitable giving into practice. 

Celebrate Tu BiShvat: Engage Your Community by Planting Trees with EARTHDAY.ORG’s Canopy Tree Project

In honor of Tu BiShvat, we invite you to support tree planting and land restoration efforts with the Canopy Tree Project. Rooted in strengthening ecosystems, supporting communities, and restoring balance to the land, the Earth Day plantings bring these values to life through native trees and guidance from local communities. A gift in support of this work creates lasting environmental and community impact, especially meaningful during Tu BiShvat.

We’ve designed a shareable graphic that you’re welcome to use in whatever way feels most appropriate, whether in a newsletter, during a Tu BiShvat seder, through a social action committee, or simply as an invitation to reflect and participate.

We invite you to explore EARTHDAY.ORG’s additional resources for reflection.

• The Amazon Takes the Mic: Indigenous Power Reshapes COP30
• Animals Who Inherited the Fairytale Forests
• Fever Trees and Forest Pharmacies
• For the Love of Trees
• Speaking Out for the Trees

“When you plant a tree, you plant for generations you may never meet.” Greek Proverb As we approach April, we’d love to learn how your community is honoring Earth Day 2026. Contact us at Rose@earthday.org. Anyone can add their Earth Day event to our global map. We hope you’ll join us!

The post Our Power, Our Planet: Faith Traditions, Unite! appeared first on Earth Day.

OPINION

I didn’t become a climate activist in spite of my Catholic education. I became one because of it.

As a child, one of my favorite parish traditions was the annual blessing of the animals on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4th. This annual celebration honors St. Francis, the patron saint of animals and the environment, and is traditionally marked by religious services and blessings of animals. Dogs barked through hymns, and cats squirmed under the makeshift outdoor pews as we celebrated the patron saint of animals and ecology. One year, someone even brought a pet fish. I had no pets of my own, so I cradled a stuffed animal. And somehow, I still felt entirely welcome.

In hindsight, that sense of belonging planted the seed for something deeper: the belief that faith and care for the Earth are inseparable. My Catholic upbringing taught me to see all creatures — whether they barked, meowed, splashed, or were stitched together with thread — as sacred. 

That early reverence and connection to the natural world stayed with me as I embarked on my K-8 Catholic education. In sixth grade at my Catholic school, I ran for student council ecology commissioner. By eighth grade, I became a vegetarian. At the time, I didn’t think of these decisions as activism. They felt like natural extensions of my faith. If God created this beautiful world, why wouldn’t we protect it?

Growing up near San Francisco’s Ocean Beach, nature was a constant companionship. The vast Pacific Ocean shaped my awe for the planet and a sense of duty to care for it. In high school, that awe turned into action. I organized beach cleanups, led my school’s environmental club, and helped launch the Bay Area Youth Climate Summit (BAYCS). At BAYCS, we addressed not just recycling and tree planting, but environmental racism and the global inequities of climate change. Our work was grounded in justice, not just conservation. 

My faith gave that work a spiritual foundation. In my junior and senior years at a Catholic high school, my religion classes included full units on Laudato Si’, the late Pope Francis’s encyclical on environmental degradation and its impact on the poor. For the first time, I encountered a vision of Catholicism that didn’t just urge personal virtue — it demanded the systemic change my peers and I had been fighting for. Pope Francis urged us to reject consumerism and domination, and instead live in “serene harmony with creation.” 

His words changed me. “Human beings, above all, need to change,” he wrote. So often, religious doctrine is associated with history and tradition. Pope Francis’ teachings represent a striking departure from the Church’s preservation of the status quo. Laudato Si’ made it clear that we cannot continue with the way things have always been. According to Pope Francis, environmental stewardship is not an optional extracurricular for Catholics. Rather, it is at the heart of what our faith demands.

Writing this now, I’m struck by how Pope Francis’s call to “care for our common home” feels more urgent now than ever, especially in the wake of his recent passing on Easter Monday. His papacy was formative for my ecological justice journey, and I feel incredibly blessed to have encountered his teachings at such a pivotal time in my life.

When I joined my first global climate strike in 2021, I skipped school to march the streets of San Francisco with fellow BAYCS organizers, families, and thousands of young people. I told my Ecological Justice and Spirituality (yes, this was a class my school offered) teacher I’d be missing class. He laughed and said, “There’s no better reason to skip.” He was right.

Marching through the streets, holding signs, chanting alongside children on their parents’ shoulders, I experienced a profound sense of hope. For the first time since learning about the scale of the climate crisis, I didn’t feel small or powerless. Just as I did years before at the blessing of the animals, I felt part of something bigger, something sacred.

Still, I can’t ignore how many Christian communities continue to resist climate action—or deny climate science outright. This denial is not only misguided but fundamentally antithetical to the Bible’s teachings of stewardship. If we believe this Earth is God’s creation, then caring for it is not a political issue. It’s a spiritual imperative

Every Earth Day, I find myself thinking back to the Feast of St. Francis. To bless a dog, cat, or even a stuffed animal means to recognize the sacredness that is consistent throughout all creation. This same sacredness flows through the coral reefs and forests, the birds and butterflies flying overhead, and the communities fighting to survive rising seas and wildfires. 

If we claim to love the Creator, we must love creation too. Let this be a unifying mission for all of us, not a divisive one.  

So the next time you find yourself in nature — at a park, an aquarium, or simply under a tree — pause. Lean into your childlike wonder of the natural world. Watch a jellyfish float or a bee as it traverses from flower to flower. This is God’s way of transmitting the magic of the Heavens down to us on Earth. These moments are divine.Faith that does justice is about honoring these gifts — not just with prayer and gratitude, but with action. While Earth Day 2025 may be over, the fight for our common home remains. Join us at EARTHDAY.ORG to unite around the future of our planet and continue our mission of Our Power, Our Planet. Our faith calls us to nothing less.

The post How My Catholic Education Made Me A Climate Activist appeared first on Earth Day.

Opinion

As the world mourns the loss of Pope Francis, it is time  to reflect on his profound impact—not just as the head of the Catholic Church, but as one of the most influential voices in the global environmental movement. From the moment he chose the name Francis, a Saint known for his love of animals, nature, and the poor, to placing climate change at the forefront of spiritual discourse through the Laudato Si movement, he urged the Vatican to divest from fossil fuels. For these actions and words,  Pope Francis earned the title of the Green Pope. 

Pope Francis never claimed to be a scientist—but he listened to scientists. He never claimed to be a politician—but he called politicians to account. He never wavered in his belief that the climate crisis is, at its core, a spiritual crisis born of human greed for unchecked consumption of the Earth’s precious and limited resources.

Now, as we remember this incredible leader, let us also celebrate his enduring legacy— rooted in compassion, action, and the unwavering belief that a better world is not only possible, but required.

An Incredible Moral Voice for the Planet: Laudato Si’ and Laudate Deum

When Pope Francis released Laudato Si’ in 2015, he did more than publish a Church document—he reshaped the global conversation on climate change.  He reminded us that “everything is interconnected”—that the way we treat the earth is inseparable from the way we treat one another, especially the poor because, “…the rich and the poor have equal dignity.” He urged all people, not just Catholics, to embrace “integral ecology,” the idea that the climate crisis is inextricably linked to social, political, and economic problems and therefore these issues must be solved together. 

After eight years of inadequate global government action, and an increasingly warm climate, Pope Francis released Laudate Deum, a follow up to Laudato Si, once again calling out the urgency to  “…care for our common home…” and reminding us that “…our care for one another and our care for the earth are intimately bound together. Climate change is one of the principal challenges facing society and the global community.”

He had the Courage to Confront Oil Executives 

On June 9, 2018 Pope Francis stood in front of oil executives, energy giants, and politicians and told the truth: with clear, moral clarity Pope Francis told them that rising greenhouse gas emissions were “disturbing” and the ongoing hunt for “…fossil fuel reserves, whereas the Paris Agreement clearly urged keeping most fossil fuels underground…[was]…worrisome.”

For many Christians like myself it was the Pope speaking truth to Earthly power and I know that I for one have never been more proud to call myself a Christian.

Pope Francis understood that energy is essential for modern life to power homes, hospitals and economies. But he also understood, like we do at EARTHDAY.ORG, that this energy does not have to and should not come at the expense of our planet. In his 2018 address to oil executives, he declared that,

“Civilization requires energy, but energy use must not destroy civilization!” He emphasized the need for a transition to renewable energy stating that “We need to talk together—industry, investors, researchers, and consumers—about transition and the search for alternatives”  

Pope Francis’s unwavering commitment to a sustainable future is something that aligns with EARTHDAY.ORG’s own  mission.. His call for a “radical energy transition” underscored the urgency of shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. This vision aligns with this year’s Earth Day theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” highlighting that while energy is essential, it must be pursued sustainably. 

In the face of the powerful and the wealthy, Pope Francis did what too many leaders today are afraid to do. He didn’t mince words or pander. He stood firm; spoke the uncomfortable truth, and defended those most impacted by climate change. This is his legacy. A leader who chose courage over comfort. A shepherd who placed the needs of the poor, the Earth, and future generations above politics, profits, or applause. Pope Francis reminded us that faith is not passive. It is active. It is bold. And it demands that we show up—especially when it’s hard.

He was a Voice for Those Who Have Contributed the Least to the Crisis Yet are Suffering the Most

At the heart of Pope Francis’s environmental leadership was a profound sense of justice and love of neighbor—especially for those who suffer most from ecological degradation. He reminded us that climate change is about people, not just rising seas or degraded habitats.

The World Bank estimates that between 44 million and 216 million people will be internally displaced by climate change by 2050. He referred to climate migration as “ a great emergency” and the result of human selfishness and greed. Just this year he called out the Global North for the great environmental injustice of allowing the Global South to “…bear the weight of the ecological debt of more developed countries.” 

In naming climate migration “a great emergency,” Pope Francis made it clear: the climate crisis is a moral crisis. He called the world to account—not just for the damage done to the planet, but for the injustice of letting the most vulnerable bear the heaviest burdens. Pope Francis was a great spiritual leader. He challenged the powerful, comforted the vulnerable, and reminded us that caring for creation is a moral imperative. His teachings in Laudato Si’ and Laudate Deum continue to inspire action and reflection. As the world bids farewell to this remarkable leader, let us take up the call to embody his commitment to justice, compassion, and stewardship. This is the legacy he leaves behind, and the work we are called to carry forward.

This opinion piece is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog as long as you say it is opinion. The accompanying imagery is also cleared for use. 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 Honoring the Green Pope appeared first on Earth Day.

Opinion

On Easter, Christians like me are reminded that the world God created is good—so good that Christ “became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14), suffered, died, and rose again. This isn’t just a spiritual truth; it’s a bold declaration that God deeply values the physical world. 

Yet many Christians, shaped by a false divide between the spiritual and material, live as if heaven matters more than the earth God made. But from the very beginning, God gave humanity a vocation: to “work and take care of” creation (Genesis 2:15). That calling wasn’t revoked—it was reaffirmed in Christ. Jesus didn’t come to just save souls. He healed bodies, fed the hungry, touched the earth with His feet and His hands. 

His resurrection affirms not just the hope of heaven, but the worth of this world. To follow Christ is to care for what He cared for—including the creation He died to redeem.

While some churches do take action to serve the vulnerable, far too many remain on the sidelines. As Christians, we’re called not just to care in theory, but to act—to feed the hungry, heal the sick, and reflect God’s love in tangible ways. When we see the sick and the hungry, we are compelled not to just sit around discussing the problems of healthcare and poverty but instead, to act by building food pantries and hospitals. 

So, why hasn’t that same urgency been applied to the environment? Why aren’t we installing solar panels, organizing clean-ups, creating pollinator gardens or planting trees in our neighborhoods?  If we truly believe creation matters to God, then caring for it should be part of our witness. Isn’t it time we act with the same compassion and conviction for the earth as we do for people?

Just as James claims that faith without works is dead (James 2:17), concern for creation without tangible steps forward leaves both our spirits and our world in distress. This Easter, we are reminded that resurrection is not passive; it is a call to new life and renewal, which includes caring for our planet.

What Can I Do? It Turns Out – LOTS!

Just as we seek to clothe the poor (Matthew 25:36), we must also ensure that our clothing choices do not harm others or the earth. That might sound unlikely but unfortunately it is all too true. How?

Our Fashion for the Earth campaign highlights how our environmental choices are a real justice issue. Fast fashion often becomes garment waste and much of it is shipped to countries in the Global South and burned, thereby depleting the quality of their air, soil and water. Even when it is not burned but dumped in landfills, these mountains of abandoned clothes leach chemicals into soil and ultimately poisons water sources. Again disproportionately harming vulnerable communities. 

How can we act to counter all of this? Stop buying fast fashion and start shopping second hand instead; by donating clothes we no longer wear to Goodwill not throwing them away and by embracing hand-me-downs, choosing quality over quantity and buying less. Together, these simple choices can honor both people and the planet.

What Else?

Similarly, pollution from fossil fuels has poisoned places like “Cancer Alley,” a 85-mile stretch along the Mississippi River in Louisiana, known for its high concentration of petrochemical plants and unusually high cancer rates among nearby residents. Residents largely from marginalized communities who suffer extreme health consequences as a result. 

Jesus healed the sick and cared for the suffering—shouldn’t we be working to prevent these illnesses plaguing these communities in the first place? As a non-polluting source of energy, renewables, like solar and wind, are not just about mitigating the climate crisis but also about minimizing public health risks. 

Plus, the renewable energy industry is expected to create nearly 4 times as many new jobs than the fossil fuel industry, not to mention they are safer and well paid. Now is the time to advocate for a transition to renewable energy by signing EARTHDAY.ORG’s letter telling lawmakers to support clean energy, push for investments in green jobs, and make choices that help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Let’s be part of the solution for both people and the planet.

Planet vs Plastics

Moreover, plastics, made largely from oil, have infiltrated our bodies and are associated with a range of medical conditions. Microplastics are tiny fragment of plastics, no bigger than a grain of rice, that shed off pretty much everything made from plastics, from kitchenware, to food packaging to our polyester clothes to the plastic coating on cash register receipts.  

They have been found in human blood, our major organs, and even breast milk. The very substances polluting our oceans are now inside of us. This blurring of boundaries between what we consume and what we become reinforces the idea that we cannot separate ourselves from creation. 

When Christ took on flesh, He affirmed the goodness of the body—shouldn’t we protect it from harm? Reducing plastic waste is an act of reverence for the body God has given each of us. So let’s take action by reducing our use of single-use plastics, choosing alternatives like reusable bags and bottles, and by signing the Global Plastics Treaty, advocating for policies that limit plastic production and waste. Together, we can protect our health and the planets too.

As we approach Easter, we are reminded that Christ’s resurrection affirms the goodness of creation. Jesus, in His sacrifice and victory, showed that the physical world matters deeply to God. This Easter let’s commit to reflecting God’s love not only by caring for the vulnerable but also by caring for the Earth He entrusted to us. Let’s take action, just as Christ did, to care for His creation. Make Earth Day full of positive action for our collective benefit.

The post Isn’t It Time We Act With The Same Compassion For The Earth As We Do For People? appeared first on Earth Day.

As a practicing Christian, I am constantly reminded that throughout Scripture we are taught time and time again that faith and good works are inseparable. The book of James goes so far as to say that “faith apart from works is dead” (James 2:26). On Good Deeds Day, let’s reflect on why God calls on us to actively live out our faith through actively doing good. 

Jesus Himself provides the answer in the Sermon on the Mount: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

When we do good works, we are not just helping others—we are reflecting the love of Christ as we are called to do as His image bearers. Our actions become a testimony, a living example of the grace and kindness that God has shown to us. Every generosity, every kindness, and each act of service points back to Him, allowing the world to witness the transformative power of faith in action.

Beyond that, the good we do for others is something that hopefully people will never forget. A single act of kindness can leave a lasting impact on someone’s heart. And one of the most powerful ways to show active love for people is to care for the world they rely on. When we protect and preserve God’s creation, planet Earth, we are not only honoring Him but also safeguarding the health and well-being of our own loved ones, our neighbors, future generations, and those most vulnerable to environmental harm. 

Whether by cleaning up our communities, through a program such as The Great Global Clean Up, planting trees through The Canopy Project, or advocating for the protection of God’s earth through Earth Action Day Roundtables, every good deed—big or small—has eternal significance that resonates beyond just doing good for ourselves. Here’s how – using renewable energy reduces pollution for everyone, improving air quality and preventing illnesses like asthma. Cutting back on plastic waste has the potential to reduce toxic pollution and prevent harmful exposure to plastic chemicals, which leach into the soil and water as they break down into microplastics. It is also better for wildlife  if we don’t have rivers and oceans full of plastic trash! Planting trees helps counteract rising temperatures by providing urban tree cover, which cools cities, reduces heat-related illnesses, and improves air quality by filtering pollutants. Trees also importantly act as carbon dioxide sinks helping to combat climate change.

I believe that Earth is a gift entrusted to us (Genesis 2:15), and every effort —big or small — makes a real difference.

I have personally felt closest to God when I am out in nature, actively working to restore and protect His creation. One of the most meaningful Earth Actions I have participated in was the Spokane River Cleanup while working for the Land Council. As I stood near the riverbanks, watching our volunteers return with their collection of trash and debris and slowly watching the impact of collective action, I felt deeply connected to God’s presence. It was in those special moments—serving alongside others, seeing the river restored, and knowing we were making a tangible difference—that I experienced the joy of living out my faith in a powerful way.

This Earth Month embrace Earth Action Day and actively seeks to do good. Let’s not just believe in doing good; let’s live it out through our actions. 

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is also cleared for use. 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.

The post Good Deeds for the Planet appeared first on Earth Day.

Of the more than 4,000 religions worldwide, several hundred are considered Indigenous religions, associated with distinct cultural beliefs and traditions. Many of these beliefs relate to the importance of nature and our responsibility as humans to be environmental stewards. 

It is widely acknowledged that Indigenous people, despite making up just 5% of the global population, protect a significant amount of the planet’s remaining biodiversity. Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) is a term for the collective Indigenous knowledge and beliefs about nature and man’s place in it, and serves as an alternative to the more objective and resource-oriented Western worldview of the environment as something to be exploited. 

Though it is impossible to describe the environmental worldviews of every Indigenous culture in this brief article, we have highlighted just a few of the numerous environmental themes and practices central to various Indigenous belief systems around the world. 

Animism

Many traditional Indigenous values are rooted in a respect for the natural world and the belief that humans, rather than sitting atop a hierarchy of living things, are simply part of a circle in which all life has equal value. Animism is a worldview in which every living being, and even natural features such as rivers and mountains, has a spirit, and therefore is deserving of our respect and gratitude. 

The Maōri people in New Zealand, for example, see humans and nature as kin, a belief which guides their common values of conserving natural resources for the benefit of all. The Maōri word kaitiakitanga encompasses the idea of guardianship and protecting the environment in order to respect the ancestors and ensure a healthy planet for future generations. 

In 2017, the New Zealand government made history by granting the Te Awa Tupua River personhood, recognizing it as an ancestor to the Maōri people, and thus allowing the river to have the same legal status as any New Zealand citizen. 

Animals in particular hold special value in many Indigenous religions and cultures. Some Native American and First Nations tribes, such as the Lakota tribe of Sioux Nation and the Tlingit peoples of the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia, use ‘spirit animals’ to convey personal, family and community stories and values. 

Spirit animals are also a part of the Native American zodiac, in which the astronomical conditions at the time of one’s birth are believed to inform one’s personality and relationship with nature. For example, the spirit animal of someone born between April 20-May 20 is the beaver, symbolizing determination, resourcefulness and productivity. People born under the sign of the beaver are considered to be ‘homemakers,’ building a strong home and community for themselves and their loved ones. 

Similarly, in Hawaiian culture sharks are sacred animals and believed to be a type of ‘aumakua — spiritual beings which can be family guardians, messengers between humans and gods, and manifestations of ancestors. These beliefs have fundamentally shaped local resource management and conservation strategies, with communities protecting the wildlife and ecosystems which carry such deeply personal and cultural importance. 

In 1995, a group of families in Kaupulehu, Hawaii founded the Kaupulehu Marine Life Advisory Committee to protect local marine resources. In 2016, they successfully created a 10-year “no take” zone across 3 miles of coastal waters, and continue to work toward new legislation with  particular emphasis on shark conservation. 

Animism is also intrinsically connected to the worship of nature and the recognition of divine presence in natural spaces. 

Divinity in Nature 

Shintoism, often considered the Indigenous religion of Japan, originated around the 6th century BC. Shintoists worship kami — the spirits or deities present in the world around us, including those which created the universe and those which exist within natural phenomena, such as storms and earthquakes, and physical objects like rocks, streams, trees, animals and even humans. 

Shinto rituals, which often include purification ceremonies, the presentation of offerings, dance and prayers, aim to celebrate and strengthen the bond between people, nature and the spiritual realm. 

The Yoruba people, an ethnic group living primarily in Nigeria, Benin and Togo, worship dozens of gods and goddesses, known as Orishas, who embody different spiritual concepts and natural phenomena. These include Okό, the god of agriculture and farming, Xango, who is associated with masculinity, justice, lighting and thunder, and Yemoja, the goddess of the ocean and mother of all living things. 

The belief that God created the Earth, as well as the idea that man has the responsibility to oversee and protect the planet, both contribute to the Yoruba peoples’ conservation values and devotion to environmental stewardship. 

Sacred groves, for example, are forests believed to be inhabited by deities and which have thus been managed by the Yoruba people and protected from extractive activities, such as logging, for thousands of years. These sacred groves, of which few remain today, are known to have higher tree species diversity than formal ecological reserves, in addition to more diverse medicinal plant species. 

Seasonal Calendar Cycles 

Many Indigenous cultures around the world observe calendar cycles that are different to the 12-month calendar most of us use. Instead, these calendars often reflect the values central to their communities.

The nomadic Sámi people of Norway, Sweden, Finland and parts of Russia are known for herding reindeer as their primary livelihood. Because their lives revolve so tightly around reindeer, they have adopted an 8-season calendar which reflects the life cycle and migration patterns of reindeer. 

As a Shamanic and animistic culture, the Sámi also hold deeply spiritual beliefs about nature and man’s place in it. They worship many natural forces as gods, goddesses and ancestral spirits, including the sun, the moon, thunder, wind and the Northern Lights. Every year, they celebrate the Sun Festival, at Midsummer, during which they give thanks for the sun’s warmth and light, and pray for a successful year of reindeer husbandry. 

Similarly, the Haudenosaunee Nations of Northeast North America observe a 13-month calendar based on the lunar cycle, and celebrate many annual festivals, including the Mid-Winter Festival, the Maple Festival, the Strawberry Festival, and the Green Corn Festival. Each one honors a different “gift” from nature and provides an opportunity for communities to come together to give thanks for the season’s bounty. 

March 20 marks this year’s Spring Equinox — the time at which the Sun crosses the celestial equator, bathing Earth’s northern hemisphere in light and warmth. It is the astronomical beginning of Spring, and often viewed as a time of reflection and renewal. 

Place-based Agriculture & Conservation 

As the original stewards of their ancestral lands, Indigenous peoples around the world possess unique and intimate knowledge of their natural surroundings, and of how best to care for them. 

Aboriginal communities in Australia believe that humans and nature were created as one. The agricultural and land management practices of these communities, such as the raising of livestock, harvesting of crops, and controlled burning of forests to mitigate large-scale wildfires, reflect this belief and place value on a balanced existence between people and land. 

In Mexico, Indigenous people — who total more than 16 million people yet make up just over 15% of the country’s population — play an important role in managing and protecting Mexico’s diverse natural resources, from sustainable agriculture and traditional fire management to forest restoration, often at great risk to their safety. 

Indigenous communities throughout Southeast Asia have learned how to predict climate events and other phenomena by observing natural occurrences. 

For thousands of years, Indigenous communities in An Hai, Vietnam have been able to forecast periods of drought and rain based on the appearance of the moon and the flight patterns of dragonflies, allowing them to make informed decisions about the types of crops to plant and the best planting times. 

For a region which is challenged by a lack of fresh water for agricultural use and which has limited access to meteorological forecasting methods, this traditional knowledge is invaluable to the local residents’ way of life.  

Indigenous Peoples as Ecological Guardians

Like the Maōri, many Indigenous communities consider themselves ‘guardians’ of their local environmental resources. 

Within the 2.7 million square miles of the Amazon Rainforest, there are approximately 400 distinct tribes which call the rainforest home. The Guajajara tribe, in the Brazilian state of Maranhão, are particularly known for their fierce protection of their local forests from illegal loggers, and continue to risk their lives daily for their home. 

In East Africa, the semi-nomadic Maasai people consider themselves the protectors of wildlife. While in the past young Maasai men would be asked to kill a lion as a sign of strength and bravery, this practice is now discouraged by elders due to a decline in lion populations. Instead, they raise livestock for food, milk, and leather. 

Like many Indigenous Peoples who practice a “take only what you need” lifestyle, the Maasai believe in respecting animals in both life and death, giving thanks to the animal for its life and using the entire animal so nothing goes to waste. 

A Lesson For All

Despite differences in culture, religion, governing practices and geographic region, a common belief across Indigenous communities is that of a shared responsibility to care for the natural world and protect it for future generations — a noble idea which can inspire all of us to take action!

EARTHDAY.ORG continues to work closely with the faith community — highlighting the ways different religious groups engage with environmental activism, and providing resources for congregations to share with their members.

If your interest in environmental beliefs around the world has been piqued, take a moment to explore our EARTHDAY.ORG article on nature-based values of five major world religions, as well as an op-ed by an EARTHDAY.ORG staff member about what Genesis teaches Chrisians about the virtue in being environmental stewards. 

Whatever your religious, faith or spiritual beliefs it is never too late to support Earth Day  – support  Earth Action Day and educate yourself & others – on all the things you CAN do to be part of the solution to protecting our planet! Earth Action Day provides an opportunity to learn about climate science, renewable energy and the impact of microplastics on human health. Use these materials to get educated. Are you ready to make a difference? Great – join us.

Whatever you do for EARTH ACTION DAY use our free Social Media Kit to amplify, share and repost about your actions.

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is also cleared for use. 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.

The post The Wisdom of Indigenous Cultures appeared first on Earth Day.

Caring for the environment is not a new idea. People around the world have been practicing environmental stewardship for centuries, placing value on a harmonious existence with nature. 

While the environmental movement today has become generally associated with liberal, secular ideologies, the values of respecting nature and taking care of it for future generations, are firmly rooted in the belief systems of almost every one of the world’s major religions. 

Buddhism

“Let him not destroy, or cause to be destroyed, any life at all, nor sanction the acts of those who do so. Let him refrain from even hurting any creature, both those that are strong and those that tremble in the world.” – Sutta-Nipata, Buddhist scripture

It is not surprising that a religion which teaches that every living thing has a spirit and is intrinsically linked to every other organism, would encourage its followers to care for nature. Conserving natural resources, respecting animals, and living a balanced, compassionate life are all important Buddhist teachings, and have been passed down through generations in moral stories, or Jatakas. 

Buddhism, one of the five major world religions, originated in India about 2,500 years ago when

a young Indian prince named Siddhartha Gautama became the first person to reach nirvana — a state of complete spiritual enlightenment — by renouncing all material possessions and meditating quietly beneath a tree. Blessed with his newfound enlightenment, the Buddha, as he came to be called, began to teach others what he had learned. 

The Buddha taught his followers that life is a never-ending cycle of pain, suffering and reincarnation, and that only by reaching nirvana can one ultimately escape this cycle. These basic beliefs form the Buddha’s Four Noble Truths, which explain that suffering exists, why suffering exists, that one can escape suffering, and how one can do that. 

Another belief central to Buddhism is that of karma, the idea that your actions in this lifetime directly influence whether you will be happy or unhappy in your next. Therefore, Buddhist teachings encourage practicing respect, abstaining from violence, and living in harmony with all life. 

Hinduism

“The gods will give you the food of your desire. Whoever enjoys their gift, yet gives nothing, is a thief, no more, no less.” (Bhagavad Gita 3.12)

Hinduism, considered the oldest existing religion, dates back several thousand years earlier than Buddhism, and many of the beliefs central to Buddhism are also found in the Veda, a collection of sacred Hindu scriptures. These include the concepts of reincarnation, karma, and ‘dharma’ — the idea of an established social order and a righteous path of living that involves making moral and ethical choices. 

One uniquely Hindu belief is that of ‘brahman’, or the ultimate source of all life and reality, and a kind of abstract supreme God. Not only do Hindus believe that humans are an intrinsic part of the natural world, they believe that the natural world is a physical manifestation of divinity, and therefore that it is imperative to respect nature as one would a god or goddess. 

The earth itself is venerated as a mother figure in Hinduism, and many Hindu rituals revolve around honoring the earth, requesting protection and sustenance, and asking for forgiveness for trespassing. Similarly, Hindus believe that environmental stewardship and ecological conservation are crucial aspects of dharma, and that it is the duty of mankind to care for the natural world.

As Buddhists strive for nirvana, Hindus aim to reach ‘moksha’ — the end to the cycle of pain and suffering. According to Hindu ideology, living a righteous life and abstaining from violence against any living thing is the key to attaining moksha and bringing about positive karma. 

Islam

“The world is beautiful and verdant, and verily God, be He exalted, has made you His stewards in it, and He sees how you acquit yourselves.” – Prophet Muhammad

Islam — the second-largest religion in the world and the fastest growing religion — is a monotheistic religion, meaning that Muslims believe in one god, Allah. Muslims follow the teachings of Muhammad, believed to have been the final prophet sent by Allah to spread his word. 

These teachings, which are outlined in the Quran, the holy book of Islam, include the Five Pillars of Islam: profession of faith, daily prayer, giving alms, fasting at Ramadan, and making a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. 

Like Buddhism and Hinduism, Islam teaches its followers to respect and protect nature as God’s creation, not only for our own benefit but for that of the whole planet. In fact, Muslims believe that every living thing has the right to basic elements such as water, fire, and light. 

The Islamic idea of ‘amanah’, which overlaps in some ways with the concept of dharma in Hinduism and Buddhism, pertains to the responsibility that each person has to live and act in a way which is moral, righteous and respectful of Allah, as well as the duty of every man and woman to protect and care for the natural world. 

Judaism

“But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth and it will teach you; the fish of the sea, they will inform you …” (Job 12:7-9)

Like Islam and Christianity, Judaism originated in the Middle East around 2000 BCE with Abraham — spiritual founder of all three religions. Beliefs central to Judaism include God creating the world and everything in it, God desiring people to be kind and just, and God rewarding goodness while punishing evil. 

In Judaism, while humans are considered to have pride of place in the hierarchy of life, humans also carry the responsibility of caring for the earth and all its inhabitants for everyone’s benefit.   

There are many Jewish laws regarding proper environmental conduct, including halakhah, which prohibits the wasteful use of any resource, and laws against causing the extinction of species or undue pain to animals. The Torah also outlines several laws regarding duties to address environmental injustice. 

The Jewish tradition of shmita, or the sabbatical year, is the agricultural practice of harvesting for six years and letting the land rest for one year, so that every seventh year provides the earth with a sort of renewal. This tradition exemplifies modern practices of regenerative agriculture which have come to be widely accepted by the ecological community, and shows us that many of today’s common environmental practices are much older than we might think. 

Wicca

“When we lose touch with our blessed planet, we lose touch with deity.” – Scott Cunningham, Wicca: A Guide for The Solitary Practitioner

Wicca is a spiritual religion whose followers refer to themselves as “Wiccans” and “witches” (regardless of gender identity) and worship nature. Often considered a modern interpretation of pagan or pre-Christian values, Wicca began in the UK in the 1940s and arrived in the United States in the 1960s. 

Wiccans worship both a male God and a female Goddess, distinguishing themselves from followers of other mainstream monotheistic religions, such as Christianity. In addition, Wicca generally does not teach a strict belief system, and instead encourages direct spiritual experience. The one rule of Wicca is “to harm none and do as you will.” 

Wiccans believe that divine energy is found all around us, and therefore view nature as sacred and worthy of respect and protection. Like Hindus and Buddhists, many Wiccans also believe in karma and reincarnation, while the quest for enlightenment is considered to be the search for one’s true place in the universe. 

Like many other pagan religions, Wiccan celebrations revolve around the seasons. Wiccans observe the Sacred Wheel of the Year, which includes the solstices and equinoxes, and agricultural and pastoral festivals. Wiccans also celebrate solar festivals (“Sabbats”) and lunar observances (“Esbats.”) 

Wiccan ritual gatherings generally include meditation, music, and prayer. Followers may give offerings to various spiritual entities, or the God and Goddess themselves, while prayers often consist of giving thanks to Mother Earth for her bounty, and asking for divine protection and spiritual healing. Many Wiccans also practice “herbal magic,” and possess extensive knowledge of nature-based medicines, spells and other healing rituals. 

Feeling Inspired? 

If learning about all the ways that cultures around the world value environmental protection has left you feeling inspired to become more active in the environmental community, AND in recognition of the Spring Equinox on March 20 — a day of renewal and rebirth celebrated in many world religions and cultures — visit EARTHDAY.ORG to explore resources on how to get involved in a broad range of environmental initiatives. 

Plus, learn more about how Indigenous Peoples are some of our planet’s fiercest environmental protectors. 

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is also cleared for use. 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.

The post Worshipping at the Earth’s Altar appeared first on Earth Day.

As we enter this sacred season of Lent, Christians are called to embrace a 40-day period of reflection, repentance, and preparation for Easter. During this time, we are invited to deepen our faith through prayer, fasting, and acts of service. While many associate Lent with giving up small luxuries—such as sweets, dining out, or social media—its true purpose runs much deeper. Lent is not just about making fleeting personal sacrifices; it’s about a profound reconnection with God before Easter. At its heart, Lent calls us to draw nearer to God by serving others and taking intentional actions that reflect the love and compassion of Christ.

While sacrifice and self-denial are essential, they should not be isolated acts confined to our personal choices or the comforts of our homes. True service goes beyond giving up small indulgences; it calls us to action in the world around us. This call is especially poignant this year, as we observe the Jubilee Year of Hope, a time when Pope Francis reminds us that hope is not just an abstract concept but a call to truly care for one another and lean into God’s word.

In 2025, Pope Francis has declared a Jubilee Year under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” which invites us to respond to the suffering in our world—from the impacts of war in Ukraine and the Middle East, to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the urgent climate crisis. The Jubilee Year challenges us to recognize that hope comes to life when we actively care for the world and all of God’s creation. This is where our responsibility as stewards of creation comes in.

In Genesis 2:15, God gives humanity the sacred charge to “Work and Keep” the Earth. This call to stewardship is not just about protecting our environment but about honoring its Creator by caring for the world He entrusted to us. As Christians, we are reminded that our actions should reflect this responsibility, especially during Lent, when we are called to serve others and witness God’s love in tangible ways.

So, this Lent, let us not only reflect on personal sacrifice but also embrace our call to care for creation. By responding to the needs of the world — through acts of service, environmental stewardship, and active compassion — we honor God’s love and fulfill our role as caretakers of His creation. 

So this Lent, I challenge fellow Christians to answer that call. Here’s how we can satisfy the ‘service’ part of Lent:

Turn away from Fast Fashion: The fashion industry is a major polluter, dumping 40 million tons of cheap clothing largely made of the plastic textile, polyester into landfills annually. Instead of buying endless new, cheap clothes this Easter, opt for second-hand or sustainable brands. It’s an easy way to reduce waste, prevent toxic pollution, and support ethical fashion. Learn more at EARTHDAY.ORG’S Fashion for the Earth Campaign.

Reject Plastic: Remember plastic pollution harms the environment and your health too, through the inhalation and ingestion of microplastics. Which is linked to cancer, heart disease, and infertility and more. Swap plastic utensils and straws for reusable options like metal straws, cloth bags, and glass containers.  Learn more at EARTHDAY.ORG’S End Plastics Campaign

What’s The Beef: Beef production emits over 53 kg of greenhouse gases per kilogram — far more than poultry — and drives deforestation due to the vast amount of land required for cattle ranching. Consider giving up red meat this Lent in favor of healthier, more sustainable options like chicken and turkey, which produce less than 10 kg of emissions per kilogram.  Or go vegetarian or vegan for 40 days, and see how it makes you feel?

Go Public: Cars are major emitters of pollution. If you can, try and opt for public transit or look into carpooling, or maybe try and use a bike on the weekends, not your car! Using a bike over a car just once a day can reduce your transport carbon emissions by up to 67%.

Cleanup With The Great Global Clean Up: Join our EARTH ACTION DAY campaign by organizing or participating in local clean-up events. These are about serving the environment and serving your community. Whether it’s cleaning up a park, a beach, or your own neighborhood, every piece of trash collected brings us closer to a cleaner, healthier world. 

Give back to Creation with the Canopy Project: Join EARTHDAY.ORG’S global tree-planting initiative that restores ecosystems and fights climate change. By participating in tree-planting efforts or supporting the project financially, you can actively contribute to the health of the planet. This mirrors Lent’s call for renewal — not just of our hearts but of the Earth itself. 

Sign On: Lent can also be a time to use your voice to advocate for positive environmental change by signing petitions that support policies to protect our planet. Here are some petitions you can sign in just a few minutes — Promote Renewable Energy and sign our Global Plastics Treaty petition — asking for cuts in plastic production.

Faith First: Consider gathering your community, church group, or local organization together to host an Earth Action Day Roundtable. It can be the magical moment that you need to come together and discuss local action to make your own community a little better! Be it cleaning up the local park, planting flowers for pollinators, advocating for bike lanes, starting an anti- single use plastic campaign or getting solar panels on the local high school roof! Meet Up, speak up and stand up for God’s creations this Lent. 

Let us not just give up the things we like for Lent this year like candy, but let’s also give up the things that harm our planet. By taking action we honor Christ’s love while protecting planet Earth. Let this season be one of renewal and hope—for ourselves and the world around us.

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is also cleared for use. 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.

The post Lent Isn’t About Giving Up Candy appeared first on Earth Day.

Earth Day was born at a time in the United States when our rivers were on fire, our skies were dark with pollution and many of our waters were unsafe to drink. Originally conceived of as an environmental teach-in by Senator Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day expanded into a massive movement that, on April 22, 1970, brought 20 million Americans from all walks of life out on to the streets to demand change from our leaders.

Fast forward to 2023. The world faces a new set of complex environmental challenges: species loss, climate change, and explosion in plastic pollution and concerns about the health implications of microplastics and more.  To take on these global issues, Earth Day has grown into an international movement and is celebrated by up to a billion people in 192 countries around the world. The mission of EARTHDAY.ORG (EDO), the global organizer of Earth Day, is to diversify, educate, and activate the environmental movement worldwide.

To achieve our mission, EDO works with over 150,000 partners around the globe. Since the very first Earth Day, the faith community – religious and spiritual leaders, congregations, and individuals of faith – have been active and dedicated partners in the movement. The National Council of Churches, for example, encouraged church leadership to devote the Sunday before Earth Day to the environment. Our partnerships now include multiple faith traditions from the Black Baptists to the Sikhs to the Evangelicals and the scope of our work together includes a wide variety of activities to drive environmental change.

In India our EDO team worked with the authorities at the Golden Temple (the foremost spiritual site of the Sikh religion) about considering becoming plastic free and within days faith leaders there had banned single use plastic use within the precincts of the Golden Temple. The same EDO team also produced guidance on how to celebrate the major Hindu festival of Diwali without using polluting firecrackers. The air can be thick with smog afterwards – causing asthma attacks, bronchitis, allergy symptoms and additional negative impacts on human health and wildlife. Promoting a ‘Green Diwali’ was a way to offer solutions.

EDO leadership has met on several occasions with His Holiness Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, and other representatives of the Vatican. Earth Day messages from Pope Francis have been shared at Earth Day on the National Mall and our virtual Earth Day reaching millions around the world. In 2015 when Pope Francis visited Washington to address Congress on Capitol Hill, EDO helped coordinate the Moral Action on Climate Rally to show support for the Pope’s call for urgent action on climate, economic and immigrant justice. The event featured many prominent faith leaders including Reverend William Barber II, representatives of the Young Evangelicals for Climate, and more.

Also, in 2015 Interfaith Power & Light (IFPL), a non-profit representing 18,000 congregations in 40 states around the country, announced a 100,000-ton carbon reduction commitment in support of EARTHDAY.ORG’s Billion Acts of Green Campaign. IFPL called on congregations and individuals across the US to commit to reducing their carbon pollution 50 percent by 2030 and going carbon neutral by 2050.

In 2020 EDO partnered with the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation to host a global dialogue, “Honoring Tradition Keepers & Change Agents as Earth Day Turns 50”. The digital dialogue reached over 350 participants and included speakers from the World Council of Churches and the United Nations Environment Programme, among others.

In 2020 the first ever Faith Call to Climate Justice Web Summit was hosted with lead organizations the Alabama People’s Justice Council, Greenfaith, and the Parliament of the World’s Religions along with environmental justice leaders, students, and grassroots organizers, to successfully offer three days of climate justice programming from a faith perspective to thousands of viewers.

The EDO team has been a long-time participant in, and supporter of the National Prayer Breakfasts and White House and Congressional briefings organized by the National Religious Coalition on Creation Care, including hosting Earth Day on the Hill in 2007.

Our theme for Earth Day 2024 is Planet v. Plastics and EDO is once again looking to partner with the faith community because we know partnering with this community gets results. Plans for the following activities with the faith community are already underway:

Global Earth Day Prayer event: For Earth Day 2023, EDO organized a global prayer event with faith organizations around the world holding Earth Day ceremonies at sunrise in their community. Key activations included: indigenous E Ala Ē ceremonies on the shores of every Hawaiian island plus two volcanoes, approximately 140 locations within the Brahma Kumaris movement, a ceremony atop Machu Picchu, and events at spiritual centers across India. For Earth Day 2024, we are organizing a similar global prayer event, with options for events at different times of the day.

Great Global Cleanup: We invite faith communities to participate in the Great Global Cleanup which EDO organizes all year around, but which builds around Earth Day itself on April 22nd.  It’s a great way to bring like-minded communities together to get hands on and pick up trash in towns, rivers, playgrounds – wherever it is – EDO wants to get it picked up!

EDO also has several online resources available to help support Earth Day activities on our website at EARTHDAY.ORG from signing the Plastic Treaty Petition to and joining our Social Squad. There are loads of trips and tricks on how to live a greener life. Congregations can access our toolkits, for free, which teach members of the public how to organize impactful volunteer events such as the EDO cleanups, marches/rallies/protests, and more. For those interested in preparing Earth Day sermons, EDO has resources too that help identify the connections between scripture and environmentalism. We will also be developing additional resources for congregations to improve sustainability in their houses of worship, highlighting plastic reduction measures.

The post Earth Day and the Faith Community appeared first on Earth Day.

Representing the triumph of light over darkness, Diwali is a Festival of Light celebrated in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Typically, celebrations span several days, with candles and lanterns decorating homes with a vibrant glow. Firecrackers of varied types heighten the celebratory mood.

Diwali symbolizes a different history and value for each faith group celebrating the day. Hindus observe the festival welcoming God Rama home after a victorious war. In Jainism, it marks the anniversary of the liberation of Mahavira’s soul. To Sikhs, it commemorates the release of Guru Hargobind from imprisonment, symbolizing triumph over oppression.

Each religion celebrates with different forms of worship and variations of treats and festivities. However, the common practice for all is the display of fireworks.

Don’t Light It Up Just Yet

Why? Because although fireworks might make for a captivating and joyous way to mark Diwali, bursting them comes at a price.

The chemicals and smoke resulting from the explosion of these over a concentrated period contaminate both the water and the air, leading to short- and long-term respiratory and cardiovascular problems. Post-Diwali, elevated levels of greenhouse gasses regularly prevalent are a cause of severe concern. Moreover, animals experience excessive short-term stress from the loud noise and disorienting brightness. The polluting particles also make their way into their habitats, causing long-term environmental issues.

Children, who are taught about climate change, have taken the lead to protest against burning firecrackers that traditionally are made using chemicals and instead demand for greener ways to celebrate Diwali with firecrackers that cause less pollution.

Taking cognizance of this, in 2017, the Supreme Court of India banned the use of certain fireworks in some regions during Diwali. It is great that in 2023, we see multiple Indian States impose similar bans. For example, only eco-friendly fireworks – Green crackers – are permitted. These fireworks, created by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, have a reduced negative impact: they are 30% less polluting, lack many polluting components (such as aluminum, barium, and potassium nitrate), and a lower sound level with decibels of 110-125 versus the usual 160.

Gopal Rai, the Minister for Environment in the Government of Delhi, announced that the Supreme Court set a blanket ban on using all types of fireworks in Delhi during Diwali and throughout the winter. “[Fireworks] turn the city into a gas chamber,” he said as he shared the news in September. He hoped the early announcement would curb sales, storage, and manufacturing of all kinds of fireworks. Disregarding the regulations will result in consequences, anywhere from a penalty fee to jail time.

West Bengal State has also restricted the use of fireworks during this period. Green crackers are the only permitted fireworks allowed and any fireworks sold that aren’t labeled “green” are illegal and banned.

Knowledge Triumphs over Ignorance

India’s transition from traditional modes of celebration to more climate-conscious alternatives pays perfect homage to the key values of Diwali — knowledge over ignorance. It is clear that as levels of environmental education improve, so does environmental stewardship.

EARTHDAY.ORG’s team in India is actively working to promote climate awareness all year round and recently published a handbook for teachers titled “What is Climate Change? Innovative Ways to Engage Students.” This aims to boost climate education and literacy among students so that they take on the mantle of stewardship for the environment from a young age.

Karuna Singh, Earth Day Network India’s Director, speaking about the handbook, said, “The ebook has lessons on how to use simple, readily available tools such as art, music, and stories to discuss and celebrate climate education and environmental awareness. The ebook shares ideas and lesson plans for teachers to create hands-on projects that spark enthusiasm in students of all ages. With free guides like this, climate education enhances student understanding, empowering them to make informed decisions and feel they have a part to play in caring for the world around them.”

India’s climate education resources and green fireworks initiatives exemplify how we can all transform traditions to serve the planet better. Increasing awareness of how our actions impact the environment should inspire us to transition to greener alternatives where we can.

This is much more likely to happen when there is a strong foundation of climate education to build on, and EARTHDAY.ORG is committed to being a part of this process and creating this foundation.

The post Green Diwali Lights the Way appeared first on Earth Day.