Earth Day 2020

A message from the Waynesburg University Environmental Science Program and the Ecostewards Club:

Happy 50th anniversary of Earth Day!

There are many ways to celebrate Earth Day, even while we are all at home. One of the most important ways to celebrate is to get outside and appreciate nature. For example, going outside for a walk or a bike ride is a great way to appreciate God's creation while also following social distancing recommendations.

Read below for more ideas on how to celebrate during the current stay-at-home order. We hope that everyone has a safe and happy Earth Day!

"Think Globally, Act Locally"

- David Brower

Five Ways to Celebrate Earth Day during COVID-19:

1. Go for a walk or a run - Sharing the beauty of Creation with our children is essential to protecting our planet for future generations. A love of nature is nurtured by being part of it. Listen to the birds and the babbling brooks, look at the trees and wiggle your toes in the fresh spring grass.
2. Plant a garden in your backyard - Victory Gardens were an essential part of our homeland war efforts during WWII. Promote victory against COVID-19 by getting your hands dirty. Gardening is both great for our physical and our mental health, and garden produce contains more vitamins than produce from the supermarket.
3. Clean up your neighborhood - Get out the gloves and trash bags and clean up the litter. A clean planet is a healthy planet. The trash along streams is extremely prevalent at this time of the year, especially plastic waste, which is destroying the health of water resources and aquatic ecosystems.
4. Prepare a plant-based meal - Plant-based diets not only offer health benefits but they also decrease greenhouse gas emissions associated with climate change. The production of meat is energy and is water-intensive; it also produces a large majority of food-based emissions.
5. Reflect on God's creation - Write poems, draw pictures or take photos celebrating Earth Day on its 50th anniversary with your family. Our beautiful earth was created by God, and we are his stewards. Spread the word that our Christian mission is critical to saving and protecting the planet.

HAPPY EARTH DAY, WU!