While celebrating nature’s gifts and protecting the environment should be practiced year-round, Earth Day, every April 22, is the designated holiday for this planet. This Earth Day, ILS marine science students, after studying climate change and the consequences of human actions on the environment, are pledging to make a positive impact on planet Earth. Earth Day pledges can and should be made by everyone, not just marine science students. 

Like many people, senior Sofia Farres became proactive in her environmental activism by taking the time to learn about how grave the climate crisis is. Farres said, “[m]y Earth Day pledge this year is to educate people about issues such as climate change, coral bleaching, and ocean acidification and provide them with quick and easy things they can to do to help contribute to a more environmentally conscious society.” 

Senior Belen Gonzalez noted that “Earth Day is the perfect platform to inform people how to make a difference.” She is pledging to switch from using many household items like plastic bags, straws, cotton balls, and water bottles to more sustainable options like bamboo and metal, or reusing the plastic products she has in order to “limit the amount of trash produced.” 

Environmental crises span far beyond the general “climate change” label. Global warming, the greenhouse effect, coral bleaching, sea level rise, and thawing permafrost are only a few of the myriad of complications that the Earth is facing. These crises cannot be left for other generations to handle and fix— change has to start now and with everyone doing what they can. 

This urgency can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Making large life shifts such as becoming vegan or vegetarian, or switching to an electric car are definitely beneficial to the environment but they can be difficult to commit to. But, if everyone makes small shifts, great change can still happen. 

For example, if veganism or vegetarianism is not an option, one can choose to explore plant-based options before reaching for beef or chicken. Instead of using disposable plastic items such as floss picks, toothbrushes, and different shower products, use sustainable alternatives like corn-starch based floss picks, bamboo toothbrushes, and shampoo/conditioner bars packed in metal tins. 

“Obviously it’s hard to make such a big change and not make mistakes but it’s the way you correct the mistakes that helps recover the action,” Gonzalez concluded. Earth Day should be celebrated every day, and this Thursday, April 22, is a great day to start!