Earth Day | Celebrate the Earth on the South Shore

Earth Day is Saturday, April 22. This is the day to celebrate the Earth and to learn about climate crisis. We all know our planet is facing a serious climate crisis. It’s important that we take action to reduce global warming and protect our environment. Understanding the science behind the climate crisis was never easy for me to understand. It can be overwhelming to know where to start when it comes to taking action if you don’t grasp the problem.

Check out this article in the Patriot Ledger for Earth Day activities on the South Shore. Climate change affects all of us from coastal flooding to community water shortages.

Let’s break down the climate crisis into simple terms, and suggest easy ways that we can all do our part to reduce global warming.

What is the Climate Crisis

Always best to start with the basics. Our Earth’s atmosphere is made up of different gases. Some of the gases are carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the most significant greenhouse gases that contributes to the climate crisis. Gases trap heat in the atmosphere. This is why the Earth’s surface is warming. This is a contributing factor to the climate crisis we are experiencing today.

Cause of climate crisis

Human activities cause gas to trap heat in the atmosphere. We burn fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas. Deforestation, and agriculture are other main causes of gas trapping heat in our atmosphere. When gases trap the heat in the atmosphere the earths’ temperatures rise. These are the causes of the harmful impacts on our environment and wild life. This is a global crisis that is not going to get better without all of our help.

Effects of climate crisis

Our climate crises is having many negative effects on all our lives. This is what is causing our more frequent and severe natural disasters in the wildfires we are experiencing and the hurricanes. We are also seeing the melting of ice caps and rising sea levels. Our ecosystems and agriculture are being greatly disrupted.

The effects of the climate crisis are already being felt around the world, and they will continue to worsen unless we take action to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of global warming. By making changes in our daily lives, supporting clean energy, and advocating for policies that address the climate crisis, we can all help make a difference in protecting our planet and ensuring a better future for ourselves and future generations.

9 Actions we can take today!

1 Cut back our energy use
2 Reduce the waste we make
3 Support clean energy initiatives
4 Advocate for policy changes
5 Support all things sustainable
6 Sustainable transportation use
7 Consider a more plant based diet
8 Tree Planting and reforestation initiatives
9 Get involved in your communities

How to make a difference


Choose renewable energy options like wind and solar power for your home or business. Utility companies now offer green energy programs.
If you find the idea of a plant based diet unpleasant try abstaining from meat 1 day a week.
Be mindful of what you buy.
You may not be able to afford a snappy new electric car. You can plan your routes in a more mindful way to reduce your driving. Try walking or biking when doing local errands. You may find this to be enjoyable!
Conserve water. Pick up a rain bucket or 2.
Let your local officials know who you are. I find the staff working in our legislatures offices to be very helpful and friendly.
By teaching myself about climate change solutions I am able to inform others. Reading books, watching documentaries and attending events related to climate change keep us informed. It is all about gathering information and sharing this information.
Getting involved in my community has been a lot of fun. I have met the most wonderful people in my efforts to combat climate change.

These small changes in our daily lives can make a big difference in reducing our impact on the environment and combating the climate crisis. By taking small steps, we can all make a big difference in protecting our planet and ensuring a better future for ourselves and future generations. Remember, every action counts when it comes to addressing the climate crisis.

Check out 350.org!

Glossary terms for clarification:

Greenhouse gases are gases that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, like how a greenhouse traps heat to keep plants warm.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a gas that is naturally present in the Earth’s atmosphere, but when we burn fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas, we release more CO2 into the atmosphere. This excess CO2 traps more heat, which leads to the warming of the Earth’s atmosphere and climate change.

Methane (CH4) is a greenhouse gas that is produced by things like cow and sheep digestion, landfills, and the production of oil and gas. Methane is more effective than CO2 at trapping heat, but it doesn’t last as long in the atmosphere.

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a greenhouse gas that is produced by activities like agriculture and the use of fertilizers. It also contributes to the warming of the Earth’s atmosphere.

Fluorinated gases are a group of gases that are used in things like refrigeration, air conditioning, and certain industrial processes. They are very effective at trapping heat and can last a long time in the atmosphere, contributing to the warming of the Earth’s atmosphere.

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