As humans, we have universally accepted rights that recognize the value of our existence, known as human rights, they are inherent to all people simply because we are human. These rights include the right to life, liberty, equality, freedom of expression, and protection from torture, among others. The foundational framework defining these is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted in 1948 by the United Nations. This document sets out 30 fundamental rights that are universal, inalienable (cannot be revoked), indivisible, and apply equally to every human being, regardless of race, gender, nationality, or other distinctions.

But if human beings have rights, why wouldn’t all other species too? 

For thousands of years, we’ve upheld an anthropocentric worldview– placing human needs above that of all other species as well as the environment. This perspective is so ingrained in how we live that we rarely stop to question it. 

But growing research into animal intelligence, emotional IQ, and social behavior, alongside growing extinction rates, raises an important question: If animals think, feel, love, mourn, play, and connect, just like we do, why do we still treat their existence as conditional or expendable?

Anthropocentrism, Biocentrism, and Ecocentrism 

Answers to that question depend largely on the worldview we hold. Anthropocentrism, the most common worldview, considers humans as the most important species and views the environment merely as a resource meant to serve our needs and be plundered. 

Biocentrism regards both humans and other living beings as equally important, recognizing the intrinsic value of all life forms. And ecocentrism holds that all elements of the natural world, living and nonliving, are of equal value. 

These worldviews shape how we view the environment, our relationship with it, and the legal frameworks we build. In practice, legal systems prioritize human interest, meaning a court is unlikely to recognize a forest’s rights unless human harm is involved.

But animals complicate this model. We don’t recognize them as “things” but we also don’t see them as “persons.”  As science continues to confirm animal sentience, the lines between “us” and “them” continue to blur. 

The Inherent Value of Life

Growing research on animal psychology and social behavior reveals that animals experience feelings and emotions, reminding us of how similar they are to us.

Dolphins, for example, mourn the loss of others and perform funeral-like rituals where they protect and even carry the bodies of unresponsive individuals. These stress-induced responses and sympathetic acts reveal that dolphins recognize and react to the death of others. 

Elephants are known for their exceptional memories. They migrate far distances in search of food, so rely on their spatial memory and previous social connections to reunite with their herd. Both their independence and social skills are reminiscent of human behavior. 

And then there are wolves– social, loyal, and altruistic. They care for one another when injured and raise pups communally. Perhaps it is these innate characteristics that helped humans form such strong connections to the wolf’s close relative– the dog. 

So, if animals can suffer, remember, connect, and care, shouldn’t their lives matter in their own right? Switching to a biocentric perspective would allow us to recognize that animals matter not just because they serve us, but because they exist. Their lives have meaning and hold a value separate from their relationships with humans. Although a biocentric perspective challenges our typical thinking, adopting this worldview may shift us towards a more inclusive and compassionate society.

Recognizing an animal’s intrinsic worth is one step, but ensuring that worth is protected is another. One emerging approach is to grant legal rights not only to species, but to entire ecosystems. This way of thinking may sound radical, but is already being adopted around the world.

Legal Recognition of Nature

The Rights of Nature movement asserts that elements of the environment can possess rights similar to those of humans or corporations. Since nature cannot speak for itself, people are granted the ability to act on nature’s behalf in court. This framework allows legal systems to consider the wellbeing of species, ecosystems, and even non-living elements like rivers or mountains. 

In Ecuador, nature was granted constitutional rights in 2008. This marked a major shift, and was led by the advocacy of indigenous communities who have long embraced biocentrism. Since then, courts have used the law to suspend road construction and mining projects that violate nature’s rights. 

Nine years later, New Zealand passed the Te Awa Tupua Act, granting legal personhood to the Whanganui River. The act recognizes the river as ‘an indivisible and living whole’ and reflects the Māori tribe’s kinship with nature.

In 2018, the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa tribe recognized the rights of manoomin (wild rice), a species threatened by oil pipelines, climate change, and habitat loss. 

The “Rights of Manoomin” law, along with the cases in Ecuador and New Zealand, show that change is possible, and laws can reflect a deeper appreciation for the environment. 

Looking Forward To Being Kinder 

As we face accelerating biodiversity loss and gain a deeper understanding of non-human intelligence and emotion, the question of whether species have a right to exist becomes increasingly important. Our current anthropocentric worldview has led to environmental destruction, mass extinction, and the moral oversight of countless other beings. 

Recognizing the rights of animals and ecosystems challenges us to reconsider what we value and why. Legal frameworks like the Rights of Nature movement exemplify that this shift is possible and use law to honor the value of all life. Embracing biocentrism and ecocentrism is not about rejecting our humanity, but expanding upon who and what we give value to. 

The right to life should not be a privilege reserved solely for humans, but a principle that guides how we live and coexist with the planet as a whole. So let’s open the conversation on the rights of animals and the role we play in forming a more inclusive, respective relationship with all living beings. 

If you believe that we cannot ignore the suffering of other sentient animals. Right now, two captive orcas whales, Wikie and her son Keijo, are being housed in crumbling tanks in the South of France.  Legendary Star Trek actor, William Shatner is campaigning for them and you can see his powerful message HERE. Please feel free to reshare and post it.

Please join him and EARTHDAY.ORG to get justice for Wikie and Keijo by putting pressure on the French government to act with urgency to save them. Write directly to President Emmanuel Macron, demanding he intervene immediately to ensure a humane, sustainable future for these animals and fulfill France’s commitment to animal welfare. These orcas are in limbo. 

Make sure the world hears their story and acts, because Wikie and Keijo cannot wait indefinitely– their lives hang in the balance today. Like millions of other species across the planet, we have forgotten that they too have a right to a happy, safe life. You can see Wikie and her son, Keijo’s predicament HERE. Please act to help them. 

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. Want more articles? Follow us on substack.

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We are drowning in plastic. Every year, the world produces over 460 million metric tons of plastic, and numbers are expected to double or triple by 2050, much of it discarded after a single use. 

Despite growing public awareness of the devastating impacts— oceans clogged with plastic debris, landfills overflowing, microplastics invading our bodies, harming wildlife, and causing illness— the problem only worsens. Plastic pollution continues to escalate exponentially, driven by our overwhelming reliance on fossil-fuel-based plastics. With less than 10% effectively recycled, much plastic still leaks into the environment, causing irreversible damage to ecosystems and human health. 

The data leaves no doubt: the tidal wave of plastics is a mounting crisis that demands urgent global action before it irreversibly chokes our planet. 

Many promote reusable bags and recycling as solutions. Yet in reality, producing recycled plastic costs more than making virgin plastics, demand is relatively low, most plastics aren’t recyclable, and there isn’t enough infrastructure to recycle them anyway.

But there’s a new way that industry can cheat the system— it’s called plastic offsets— and it is worryingly gaining ground. As with carbon offsets, plastic offsets provide a convenient way for companies and individuals to claim environmental progress— by paying for plastic cleanup efforts without actually reducing plastic use. Sustainability goals are now widely expected of businesses, though less so in the U.S. for obvious reasons, and they remain a major priority globally. As a result, many are exploring this strategy to claim net-zero plastic targets, despite continuing practices that contribute to the problem. 

However, just like carbon offsets, plastic offsets have sparked much debate. Critics argue that they are misleading, ineffective, and aren’t getting to the source of the issue.  As plastic offsets gain traction, it’s time to take a closer look: Can they lead to real reductions or are they just a distraction that allows companies to delay meaningful action?

Purchasing Plastic Offsets

The plastic credit market is just four years old, with no universally accepted definitions, standards, or regulations. The World Bank defines a plastic credit as “a transferable unit representing a specific quantity of plastic that is avoided from use, collected and managed, or recycled.” These credits fund various plastic removal projects, such as land and ocean cleanups, landfill diversion, and both mechanical and chemical recycling.

Before offsetting begins, companies must first assess their plastic footprint, accounting for plastic across the entire supply chain from production to disposal. Once the footprint is measured, companies purchase plastic credits directly from a project developer or, more commonly, through third-party crediting standards. 

Third-party crediting standards are often presented as more trustworthy because they have defined methodologies, independent verification, and public registries. But even these systems vary widely in quality, and transparency is far from guaranteed. 

The Very Minimal Benefits

Plastic credits present a relatively simple and scalable opportunity for companies to offset their waste, especially for those struggling to reduce plastic use at the source. They offer an opportunity for early-stage sustainability efforts, while longer-term solutions are developed which address the root causes of plastic pollution. 

The plastic offsetting framework also works to create economic opportunity for marginalized groups. Plastic reduction projects aim to provide a sustainable income to low-income communities and improve working conditions by enforcing safety protocols and stronger labor standards into local waste management systems.

Many plastic crediting standards publicize their plastic accounting methodologies. This information can then be used by other plastic pollution initiatives to improve their reporting. If widely adopted, these methods could improve data on plastic waste and fill gaps in the supply chain, yet still, inconsistencies across programs continue to limit the comparability and credibility of the system. 

The Very Serious and Multiple Criticisms

Much like carbon credits, plastic offsets are steeped in controversy— and for good reason. Critics argue that plastic credits mask the problem rather than solving it, and many dismiss the process altogether. 

A central concern is that plastic credits don’t address the root issue of the plastic crisis, and instead act as a temporary bandaid. By allowing companies to offset waste without changing how products are designed, produced, or managed, credits risk enabling a business-as-usual approach while creating an illusion of sustainability. 

Another common criticism, mirroring that of carbon offsets, is additionality. Plastic reduction projects must be additional, meaning they would not have occurred without the financial incentive provided by the offset. Yet experts doubt whether these projects are actually “additional” and research shows that many projects began years before the plastic credits were even introduced. 

A further concern is the risk of double counting. This occurs when a plastic credit is claimed by more than one entity, including project developers, governments, or the company purchasing credits. This can happen by accident, but is also done deliberately by companies for financial gain. Double counting invalidates the credibility of the plastic offset market, leading to inflated impact claims that greenwash consumers. 

To make matters worse, there is also debate as to whether the plastic reduction projects themselves are even legitimate. An investigation into the two leaders in the plastic credit market, Verra and Plastic Credit Exchange (PCX), reveal various unsettling findings. These companies’ plastic reduction projects involve the burning of plastics in cement kilns, which releases toxic emissions and undermines the environmental benefits of plastic collection. In fact, 86% of PCX’s credits and 22% of Verra’s are linked to incineration. 

It is also important to note that while companies like Verra have implemented the Plastic Waste Reduction Standard in an effort to address these issues, global standards for plastic offsets still remain a major hurdle. In practice, each organization follows its own protocols, leading to inconsistent governance across the market. Without a clear and consistent framework, processes like credit verification, tracking, and enforcement remain unreliable. 

The Road Ahead for Plastic Offsets Is a Dead End

Plastic offsets, in their current form, fall short of solving the plastic pollution crisis and will go nowhere to reducing our plastic crisis. Despite being attractive to companies as a way to decrease their plastic footprint, they offer only a blatantly superficial alternative to tackling the root issue: reducing plastic production.

The plastic credit system has failed to deliver meaningful results. Despite its growing popularity, it suffers from weak oversight, loose standards, and harmful disposal practices that limit real impact. 

EARTHDAY.ORG believes that reducing plastic production remains the most powerful step towards change. And while offsets may one day offer meaningful support, they are not a substitute for action at the source. That’s why we invite you to sign the Global Plastics Treaty, helping us demand stricter plastic legislation and global cooperation to hold corporations accountable.

If you care about the environment, and are in the U.S., we need your voice. Add your name to our public comments on the EPA’s intentions to gut the agency’s ability to regulate pollution due to climate change, also known as the Endangerment Finding.

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. Want more articles? Follow us on substack.

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Artificial intelligence often gets a bad rap when it comes to the climate conversation— its enormous energy demands, water-intensive data centers, and growing greenhouse gas emissions spark growing alarm. But this AI appreciation day, let’s flip the narrative. AI technologies also hold tremendous potential in helping us transition toward a more sustainable future, and one particularly exciting solution is AI-driven urban planning. 

With over half of the global population living in cities, and environmental pressures mounting, urban centers are having to adapt rapidly and creatively. Around the world, cities are quietly utilizing AI to improve infrastructure, optimize resources and design more efficient, livable environments. The result? Greener, smarter cities that are more well adept to future climate change. 

Singapore and Barcelona are two cities leading the way in AI-driven urban design. By integrating AI into core systems, like traffic flow, energy consumption and waste management, these cities are proving how effective green technology can be for urban growth and sustainability. 

Singapore: AI at the Heart of Urban Innovation

Singapore, one of the world’s smartest cities, is emerging as a leader in using AI to shape urban development. The city’s Urban Development Authority is using data analytics and geospatial technologies to gain insights into how public spaces and amenities are used. Additionally, AI is being applied to manage infrastructure, improve accessibility, and optimize land use in space-constrained Singapore.

Beyond urban design, AI is also transforming the city’s energy sector to enhance sustainability and overall efficiency. AI technology is being utilized in energy generation, storage, and consumption to save both resources and time. In the renewable energy space, it plays a key role in predicting energy demands and optimizing the performance of technologies such as solar panels and wind turbines.

As part of Singapore’s smart city initiative, the government has released an AI-driven traffic management system that uses real-time data to monitor traffic flow, predict congestion patterns, and adjust traffic signals accordingly. This solution not only improves travel efficiency, but also reduces emissions by minimizing stop-and-go traffic. Since the new system’s implementation, peak-hour delays have decreased by 20%, while average rush-hour speeds have improved by 15%. 

Singapore is also leveraging AI to transform its roads by enhancing public transport systems. AI technologies are being used to improve predictive maintenance for buses, detect blind spots for safer driving, and monitor train conditions in real time. These innovations have contributed to a 25% increase in public transport ridership and a 15% decrease in waiting times. Remarkably, despite this increase in ridership, emissions have still decreased by 10%— a result of AI-optimized travel routes and schedules. 

The integration of AI across Singapore’s traffic management and public transport has led to a 15% reduction in citywide emissions, contributing significantly to cleaner air quality. The economic benefits are equally impressive, with AI-optimized systems projected to save the city $1 billion annually. These figures underscore how AI is truly transforming the city to become more sustainable, smart, and economically efficient. 

Barcelona: AI for People, Place, and Participation

Barcelona is a city known for its beautiful architecture, vibrant culture, and rich history. Less well known, however, is that the city has incorporated AI technology into many of the unique systems it relies on. Barcelona uses AI not just to optimize operations, but also to empower citizens and make urban development more inclusive. 

One of the city’s most innovative uses of AI is its development of a Local Digital Twin– a virtual replica of Barcelona.The model began with maps and satellite imagery to recreate the city’s physical layout, and has since evolved to incorporate more complex systems, making it hyper-realistic and intricate. The Digital Twin simulates complex urban systems, such as air pollution, noise, traffic, and human movement, allowing planners to predict how changes in one area might affect another.

This system has completely revolutionized the way Barcelona is monitored, developed, and future-proofed. It allows the city to assess compliance with the ‘15-minute city’ model– where daily needs are accessible within a 15-minute walk or bike ride. With these insights, the Local Twin has improved public transport efficiency, evaluated amenities access and guided more equitable, safe, and efficient development. 

Barcelona is also using AI to empower and connect its people. The Barcelona City Council released a revitalized, AI-powered employment platform, which attracted over 73,000 people in 2024 alone. The website features an AI assistant which matches employers to potential workers based on their skills and interests, and delivers a tailored and sophisticated service for varying professional needs. 

A final highlight of Barcelona’s AI use is its application in waste management. By combining AI and IoT-enabled sensors, the city has improved waste collection through GPS-equipped vehicles and smart bins— streamlining operations and reducing overall waste. 

Equity, Ethics, and the Limits of AI

Cities like Singapore and Barcelona prove the vast potential of AI in urban planning— from boosting efficiency to enhancing citizen engagement. Yet AI doesn’t come without drawbacks for people, the planet, and public trust.

For one, AI systems rely on large amounts of data, raising concerns on data privacy and the security of sensitive information. Technologies like facial recognition, used to monitor public spaces, risk violating privacy and freedom rights, especially when data is misused or misinterpreted. Urban planners address this through de-identification and anonymization, yet this solution isn’t perfect. 

Another rising concern is algorithmic biases, which arise from skewed datasets, gaps in data, and assumptions in algorithms. When certain groups are underrepresented, due to factors like low survey participation, AI solutions may reinforce inequality and result in urban development which fails to reflect the needs of a city’s diverse population. 

Given these challenges, it’s clear that there is a need for transparent, community-driven AI governance structures to ensure that AI technologies support ethical urban planning. Urban planners must continue to engage diverse stakeholders, build public trust, and develop ethical frameworks to guide equitable and responsible urban development.  

Looking Forward

As cities become more populated and climate pressures intensify, use of AI in urban planning becomes increasingly important. Although the risks are real, the potential for transformative urban development must be harnessed to meet the needs of cities. If ethical considerations are made and the right people are involved, we can build smarter, greener, more resilient cities to better serve future generations. 

This AI appreciation day, EARTHDAY.ORG is recognizing not just the power of AI, but the responsibility that comes with it. Cities like Singapore and Barcelona show us what’s possible when AI is used thoughtfully– to build more sustainable, livable urban environments. 

To learn how you can support climate-forward innovation and help shape a cleaner, smarter planet, visit EARTHDAY.ORG and get involved with the Our Power, Our Planet initiative. The future of our cities, and our planet, depend on the decisions we make today. 

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. Want more articles? Follow us on substack.

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Today is the world’s first-ever World Rural Development Day, as declared by the United Nations– in global recognition of the essential contribution rural communities make to their nation’s well-being, food security, and environmental health. Rural development is often overlooked, yet plays a vital role in shaping the economic, social, and environmental viability of countries. 

Regenerative agriculture is emerging as a key solution in this transformation. This farming practice helps capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and works to reverse the environmental damage caused by industrial farming. It goes beyond sustainable agriculture by actively restoring ecosystems so that they can naturally grow food. 

Here’s seven ways that regenerative agriculture is supporting rural development:

1. Boosting Soil Health for Long-Term Sustainability

A defining characteristic of regenerative agriculture is that it avoids the use of harmful pesticides or fertilizers. Regenerative agriculture works with the environment, rather than against it, so instead of using synthetic chemicals, farmers rely on natural and organic substances. This practice keeps the soil happy and healthy, allowing insects, bacteria, and other microorganisms to thrive in a balanced ecosystem.

As a result, soil biodiversity improves— both the variety of organisms living in the soil and its microbial function— which is especially important given that nearly 70% of the world’s soil is currently degraded. 

By restoring soil health farmers are able to grow more nutritious crops, help reverse environmental damage, and reduce the impact of climate change.  

2. Good Farming = Doubling Profits!

The majority of farmers are reluctant to implement regenerative practices because they are perceived as less profitable. This is far from the truth. Research on wheat farmers suggests that regenerative agriculture can increase profitability up to 120%— plus  farmers begin to notice benefits to their soil and crop quality within the very first growing season. 

This rise in profitability stems from a few key factors. Most importantly, farmers no longer bear the high costs of fertilizers, which account for up to 36% of their total expenses. In addition, regenerative farming opens diverse revenue streams, such as grazing livestock and selling organic or direct-to-consumer products. Often organic food is worth more too, so farmers can charge more for their crops and produce. 

3. Counters Drought and Flood Vulnerability 

Research suggests that regenerative agriculture can increase the productivity of crops in extreme weather conditions, like droughts. This is because the organic soil matter acts like a sponge, absorbing and retaining more rainwater than less organic rich soils, thus providing a buffer in dry periods. 

Flood risk is also reduced as regenerative practices such as composting, crop rotation, and agroforestry, the process of incorporating trees and shrubs into farmland, prevent erosion and boost water retention. As a result, farms become more productive while also reducing the amount of surface water flowing into nearby waterways— this provides natural flood protection!

4. Offers Diverse Ecosystem Services

Regenerative agriculture offers a wide array of ‘ecosystem services’— these are the benefits all of us receive from the natural environment. First off, regenerative  farming enriches and increases organic matter in the soil, making it more fertile and highly effective at carbon sequestration. It’s a positive cycle— better soil captures more carbon and more carbon improves the soil!

Another powerful benefit is that regenerative techniques can enhance local biodiversity. Regenerative farms often feature a variety of crops, together or in rotation, attracting a range of insects, birds, and other wildlife. Techniques like buffer strips, hedgerows, and prairie strips recreate pollinator-friendly habitats. Regenerative practices also promote no-till farming and cover cropping which reduce runoff, again protecting pollinators. Plus these areas offer safe spaces for nesting, foraging, and overwintering birds and animals. This helps to produce rich, diverse landscapes which are more resistant to pests and disease, giving rise to an even healthier ecosystem.

Regenerative farming is about rebuilding ecological networks. By mimicking nature, farmers create landscapes where pollinators can thrive, and in turn, these pollinators help improve crop yields and overall biodiversity.  

5. Bringing Jobs Back to the Land

Regenerative agriculture is not only restoring the land, it’s also expanding the job market in rural areas. By shifting away from heavy machinery and towards regenerative hands-on practices, farmers learn new skills and better techniques for soil management, cover cropping, and rotational grazing. This increase in manual labor opens up job opportunities all over the world. 

In Africa alone, it has been predicted that by 2030, one million full-time jobs will be created this way. 

Beyond the farming itself, regenerative agriculture also opens up jobs in food processing, local distribution, agriscience, and community-supported agriculture, a direct-to-consumer model which connects farmers to their local communities. As a result, rural areas’ economies improve and the livelihoods of their people become more secure, diverse, and resilient. 

6. Empowering Women and Marginalized Farmers

Regenerative agriculture’s emphasis on community, knowledge sharing, and small-scale operations creates entry-points for women, Indigenous people, and other marginalized growers. Involving and empowering women as part of the transition towards regenerative agriculture is critical— they contribute 43% to the agricultural industry and produce up to 80% of food in developing countries. Their role not only sustains communities, but also strengthens local economies and ensures a sustainable, inclusive food system. 

For marginalized communities and Indigenous people, agriculture is often tied to a long history of oppression and systemic exclusion. However many regenerative principles— like working with the land, agroforestry, and permaculture— are deeply rooted in traditional practices. So by recognizing this and involving marginalized groups in modern regenerative agriculture, both the people and land can benefit.

7. Bridging the Rural-Urban Divide

For as long as cities have existed, the rural-urban divide has had a strong impact on the economic, social, and political dynamics within and across national borders. Regenerative agriculture has the power to connect people in cities with the land, labor, and communities that feed them. 

Through systems such as community-supported agriculture and urban farming, regenerative agriculture can shorten supply chains and foster connections between people living in rural and urban areas. As shopping local and organic becomes increasingly popular, these systems make sustainable choices more accessible while also improving our food system. 

On this inaugural World Rural Development, EARTHDAY.ORG celebrates the vital importance of regenerative agriculture in revitalizing rural communities. To learn more, explore our interactive quiz or watch this informative video on regenerative practices.

Together, we can regenerate both the land and rural communities around the world.

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. Want more articles? Follow us on substack.

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Today, on World Rainforest Day, we celebrate one of the most vital ecosystems on Earth. Rainforests shape our climate, house incredible biodiversity, and even influence global weather. From their ability to generate their own rainfall to the secret ways trees communicate, rainforests impact our planet in ways we’re only just beginning to understand. 

A rainforest is defined as a dense forest that receives at least 100 inches of rainfall annually, creating multiple canopy layers and supporting. Most of us probably picture tropical jungles, when rainforests are mentioned but rainforests also thrive in temperate regions too, where towering conifers create their own lush, misty ecosystems.

Here’s seven intriguing facts you probably didn’t know about the world’s rainforests:

1. Only one continent doesn’t have rainforest, can you guess which one?

South America is famously home to the iconic Amazon rainforest, but you may not realize that rainforests also thrive in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. 

Rainforests in North America may not be as widely recognized as the Amazon, but they span across each Pacific Coast state, California, Oregon and Washington, as well as within the Appalachian Mountains, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Europe’s temperate rainforests  can be found in Norway, Scotland, and Bosnia. 

Rainforests take on different forms and are home to different species of trees, animals and insect species depending on their location. Tropical rainforests, found near the equator, are characterized by moisture and dense vegetation, whereas temperate rainforests are found further from the equator in locations with much milder  temperatures. The only continent without rainforests is Antarctica — its extreme cold and lack of rainfall mean rainforests cannot survive there. 

2. Less than 5% of Light Reaches the Rainforest Floor

The dense canopy of the rainforest blocks most incoming sunlight, allowing only 0.5-5% to reach the forest floor. This creates a dim, shadowy environment where only specially adapted plants can survive. Many understory species, such as philodendrons and zebra plants have evolved large leaves and other adaptations for low-light conditions—which is exactly why they thrive as houseplants in our homes.

With such a small percentage of light making it through the layers of thick foliage, the rainforest floor becomes a highly competitive environment where smaller plants compete fiercely for any available light. When a large tree falls and creates a gap in the canopy, this sudden influx of light dramatically alters the competitive balance and can gradually reshape the entire forest composition. Meanwhile, the perpetually dim understory supports only the most adaptable fungi and plants, creating a remarkable hidden ecosystem.

3. Rainforests Can Generate Their Own Rain 

New research has found that the Amazon rainforest helps trigger its own rainy season  as plant leaves release water vapor. This process, known as transpiration, increases the amount of moisture in the air and leads to cloud formation and rainfall. It helps sustain the rainforest by allowing the ecosystem to self-regulate, but also highlights how vulnerable these forests are to disruption.

Deforestation disrupts this delicate balance, reducing trees’ ability to generate the rainfall they depend on. As a result the rainy season in the southern Amazon now begins a month later than it did in the 1970s, and scientists warn that a longer dry season could push the forest past a critical tipping point. However, protecting intact rainforest preserves the hydrological cycle, the natural water cycle, allowing the ecosystem to continue sustaining itself through its own rainfall.

4. The Rainforest Canopy is an Undiscovered, Land of its Own 

The rainforest canopy is rich in biodiversity, with 70-90% of all life forms existing in this aerial ecosystem. In the Brazilian Amazon alone, explorers are discovering a new species every other day — adding to the 2.5 million insect species, 16,000 tree species, and 3,000 freshwater fish species we already know. Yet vast portions of the Amazon remain unexplored, and the canopy in particular is a world of mystery.

Tropical forests are home to a large percentage of Earth’s species, most of which make use of the canopy, but our understanding of this rich ecosystem remains remarkably limited. The rainforest canopy truly is a land of its own; with many of the species that call it home never descending to the rainforest floor. 

5. Indigenous People Know the Forests Best 

For thousands of years, Indigenous communities have shaped, relied upon, and grown alongside rainforests. Their deep connection to the forest and understanding of sustainable agriculture makes them essential in preserving these ecosystems.

However, industrial expansion poses a serious threat to both Indigenous communities and the future of rainforest biodiversity. This growing encroachment reinforces the urgent need to protect these territories and Indigenous land rights.

One study found that by ensuring land rights for the Brazilian Amazon’s indigenous people, deforestation could be decreased by 66%. 

Additionally, Indigenous-managed lands people’s lands capture significantly more carbon than other locations — a critical factor as areas of the Amazon are now emitting more carbon than they absorb. 

6. Trees Can ‘Talk’

New research is emerging which suggests that trees can communicate with each other. Connected to one another via an underground network of fungi, trees use hidden pathways to exchange chemical signals. Studies have shown that when trees are under attack from insects, they send warning signals to neighboring trees, allowing them to activate their defense mechanisms. 

Researchers in the Pacific temperate rainforests of North America explored these fungal networks and coined the term ‘mother tree’ — referring to older, central trees that serve as hubs in the forest. These mother trees play a vital role in transmitting distress signals and can even increase the flow of nutrients to struggling trees, helping them survive. 

7. Saving Rainforests = Saving Ourselves

Rainforests cover about 6% of the earth’s surface, yet play a crucial role in the fight against climate change. Tropical rainforests absorb around 50% of all carbon dioxide absorbed by plants, helping regulate and stabilize the Earth’s climate through a net cooling effect.

Protecting and restoring the rainforest impacts us all, but it is especially important for 50 million people who live in or depend directly on these ecosystems. By taking action now, we ensure a sustainable future where both the rainforests and humanity can thrive. 

This World Rainforest Day, EARTHDAY.ORG is celebrating the value of our rainforests. Through The Canopy Project, we are committed to restoring forests across the globe. By donating to this initiative, you help us plant trees, revive forests and contribute to a greener, more forest-rich planet. 

Rainforests are incredibly important to Earth’s well-being — protecting and restoring them is key to creating a more sustainable future!

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When most people think of ocean plastic, they think of floating bottles, grocery bags, or maybe the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. But a large fraction of ocean plastic does not float on the surface but  instead sinks to the ocean floor or is suspended in the ocean’s water column. This is because some plastics are denser than seawater, and even buoyant plastic can and will eventually sink. 

Plastic pollution is an urgent global issue that impacts all living things, yet remains complex due to the scale and hidden nature of the problem. Scientists struggle to estimate how much plastic is in the ocean and continue to debate whether the ocean’s surface, water column, sea floor, or coastlines serve as the largest ocean plastic reservoir. Currently, there is not enough reliable data to know, and existing models are often inaccurate or carry significant uncertainty. 

Yet despite the gaps in data, the magnitude and severity of the problem remain clear. In some of the world’s most ecologically significant marine regions, sinking plastic presents a growing concern. From the Mariana Trench to the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Coral Triangle, plastics are posing a serious threat to underwater ecosystems. 

How and Why Plastics Sink

Plastics that are less dense than seawater, such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), tend to float, whereas polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which are denser, will sink. That being said, buoyant plastics can still sink due to processes such as biofouling and plastic breakdown.

Biofouling is a process where microorganisms, plants, and animals attach themselves to underwater surfaces— in this case, plastics. This causes the overall density of the plastic debris to increase, leading to its sinking. 

Plastics also break down into microplastics over time and may eventually sink. Microplastics, small plastic particles between 1 nanometer and 5 millimeters, may enter oceans directly, but are also produced from the gradual breakdown of larger bits of plastic. Degradation is driven by a combination of sunlight, wind, heat, and waves, with sunlight being the most crucial and leading to a process known as photodegradation. 

These smaller plastic particles, created from the degradation of larger pieces,  disrupt the bottom of the food chain, being consumed by plankton and thus creating a cascade of harm. Small, plastic-contaminated marine organisms are consumed by larger species like fish and shellfish and may eventually harm humans through contaminated seafood. Plastics, large and small, are everywhere in the ocean. Understanding how and why plastics sink helps explain their omin-presence, even in some of the ocean’s most extreme environments—  one of which being the Mariana Trench. 

The Mariana Trench

The Mariana Trench is the deepest part of the world’s ocean, located in the western Pacific Ocean and reaching almost 7 miles deep. In 2019, a diver set out to reach the deepest point in the ocean, Challenger Deep, and found multiple pieces of plastic debris down there. In fact, in a database of 5,010 submersible dives, 3,425 man-made debris items were detected. Over 33% of these items were macro-plastics, or larger pieces of sunken plastic, 89% of which being single-use products. But it’s not just these large plastic objects that were found—  small plastic particles are there in abundance too. 

The worrying thing is that these plastics are essentially permanent; with little sunlight and cold conditions, plastic degradation rates slow down further and biological forces weaken. It’s not just the deep ocean that’s contaminated with plastics. The Tyrrhenian Sea, located off the west coast of Italy in the Mediterranean Sea, has been identified as a microplastic hotspot– an area of the ocean with an especially high concentration of microplastic. With 1.9 million pieces of microplastic per square meter, the Tyrrhenian Sea has the highest concentration ever recorded from the deep seafloor. 

A Plastic Ocean Hot Spot

In the deep sea, bottom currents carry oxygen and nutrients across the sea floor. However, new research suggests that these currents also transport microplastics, which, as a result, become more available to deep sea organisms and allow them to enter the food chain.

Microplastics also have the ability to absorb toxic chemicals from the surrounding water, and these pollutants are then passed up the food chain and will accumulate in living organisms over time. Research suggests that plastic ingestion by fish is rising by 2.4% annually and plastic debris has been detected in 386 fish species, including 210 species used commercially.  This build up can impact animal behavior in fish and sea birds, such as navigation and their ability to detect chemical cues. It is estimated that each year, plastic pollution leads to the deaths of 100,000 marine animals, such as whales, turtles, and dolphins, and 1 million seabirds.

The Coral Triangle

The Coral Triangle, another  biodiversity hotspot home, is also impacted by plastics: 75% of the world’s coral species and 2,200 fish species, are under increasing threat from plastic pollution. The Coral Triangle is a marine region in the Western Pacific Ocean and includes the seas of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste. The region is considered the global center of marine biodiversity, but is heavily polluted with plastic.

Corals are vital to these marine ecosystems. Tens of thousands of species and one billion people rely on coral reefs for storm protection, livelihoods, food, and even medicine. In the Coral Triangle, over 50 million people are dependent on them, yet more than 90% face serious threats from human activity. 

Reefs impacted by plastic are also significantly more likely to develop disease. While unaffected reefs show only a 4% disease rate, this rises to 89% when plastic is present. This occurs because plastics cause abrasions in the coral, allowing pathogens and bacteria to enter. Additionally, plastic blocks light and can create low oxygen environments that encourage the formation of harmful microbes. A reduction in coral reefs has significant knock-on effects for marine ecosystems that rely on them for habitat, food sources, and protection from predators. 

Looking Forward 

Plastic pollution is not just an issue impacting the ocean’s surface. The sinking of plastics into our coral reefs and the deepest parts of the ocean reveals an urgent environmental crisis. 

This World Ocean Day, check out EARTHDAY.ORG’s End Plastics Initiative page to learn more about plastic pollution and how you can take action today. Then, sign the Global Plastics Treaty petition to add your voice to the demand for action to address the plastics problem. 

Together, we can push for systemic change and protect our oceans.

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. 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.

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