Earth Day is an annual event aimed at celebrating and promoting environmental campaigning and protection. It is a global awareness day that has been celebrated on April 22 each year since it was set up in 1970, making this the 52nd Earth Day.
In Bristol, council leaders were recently forced to admit the “daunting” scale of urgent change needed with an admission that 2030 net zero goals are currently nowhere near being achieved. The region’s leaders have approved a new climate and ecological action plan after going back to the drawing board to make it more ambitious.
The theme of Earth Day 2022 is ‘invest in our planet’. It focuses on the work needed to act, innovate and implement positive action to prevent the breakdown of our climate.
Also see: Boots bans commonly used product from shelves as it follows Aldi's eco-friendly lead
How can I get involved?
Clean ups
A really easy way to get involved this year is to collect litter in your local area. As people take to parks to meet friends outdoors, there has been a huge increase in rubbish this year, which is harmful to local ecosystems.
Saving energy and water
Being mindful of your energy and water usage is an easy way to help the planet and save money at the same time. You can even switch to an eco-friendly supplier.
Bristol Water has provided a number of tips to help you save water - and hence money. It also has a pack of water-saving devices that you can order free of charge, simultaneously helping the planet and your bill costs.
Sustainable fashion
The fashion industry is responsible for over 8 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainable Fashion refers to a clothing supply chain that is ecologically and socially responsible, or better, secondhand clothing in charity or vintage shops.
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Use your car less
For short journeys, consider walking or cycling instead of taking the car. Research shows that people who use active travel have the lowest carbon footprints.
Meat-free Mondays
Swapping animal products for plant-based alternatives is a simple way to reduce your carbon footprint. You can use Earth Day’s calculators to work out how much your diet impacts the planet.
Make some eco swaps
There are loads of everyday products designed to be more eco-friendly, such as bamboo toothbrushes and biodegradable phone cases. To check how sustainable a product is, you can check its credentials on Ethical Consumer.
How is Bristol marking Earth Day?
If you're looking for a fun yet educational event to keep the kids entertained, head down to outside the Arnolfini this Earth Day. Self-professed adventure mermaid Lindsey Cole, will be giving a free talk on how she rescued a drowning cow during a plastic awareness campaign and towing a giant poo sculpture investigating river pollution down the River Avon. The event is from 12pm-3pm and it's free - with the promise of chocolate Easter eggs.
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There is also a free webinar at 2pm on how organic beauty and wellbeing businesses are investing in our planet hosted by the Soil Association in Bristol.
Portishead Library is hosting a free Earth Day Extravaganza between 10am and 3pm to teach people all about living sustainably and protecting our planet from experts. With representatives from the Centre for Sustainable Energy, North Somerset Council, and local climate groups, and there's a chance to win a free retrofit survey worth £600.
Avon Wildlife Trust shared a message on Twitter to say they would be making an exciting announcement on April 22 in line with Earth Day.
In keeping with this year's Earth Day theme 'invest in our planet', Tech Nation has identified a select few companies as leading the way in the south west to tackle the climate emergency and strive for a better future. Three of the five selected are Bristol-based businesses.
Ecologi
A subscription service for your carbon consumption, kind of like Netflix for the planet. With the overarching aim to avoid 2/3rds of all carbon emissions, individuals and businesses can remove their carbon footprints by subscribing to grow their own forests or contribute to other carbon reducing activities. Customers have complete transparency to where their money goes each month, and can set themselves personalised eco goals.
Voltric
An all-inclusive electric vehicle subscription service that allows consumers to access a range of road-ready, electric cars all for one price per month without the concerns of managing insurance, tax, MOT and everything needed to get onto the road.
Tumelo
It aims to give visibility and influence to investors who want to have a positive impact with their money. They create socially responsible investments, provide visibility so investors in funds and pensions can see exactly where their money is going, and help shareholders have influence to create lasting change.
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