Founded in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson in California, Earth Day began as a “national teach-in on the environment”.

This date was chosen to reach as many students on university campuses as possible. It was hoped that by raising public awareness of pollution, environmental causes would be brought into the spotlight.

Now in its 53rd year, Earth Day has reached beyond the Californian students and is now a recognised movement worldwide.

Earth Hour

April is also recognised as being Earth Month and on Earth Day, there will be an Earth Hour. In Ireland, this takes place between 8:30pm and 9:30pm.

Earth Hour is considered a time to reflect on our environment. You can take part by switching off your lights for the hour, indicating your support for nature and the planet.

So now we have established Earth Month, Earth Day and Earth Hour. Let’s take a look at some small steps we can take in support of these global initiatives.

This Earth Day, I…

  • Will unplug. Get into the habit of unplugging appliances before going to bed. It is likely that the only appliance needed to be left plugged in overnight in most homes is the fridge.
  • Will ease off on the lawnmower. If you do like the neat and tidy look in your garden, mow the border and leave the main body of grass to prosper. #NoMowMay is just around the corner, so get a headstart.
  • Clean-ups in your area. Operating as part of An Taisce's National Spring Clean, Clean Up Laois Week is Ireland’s biggest and longest running anti-litter campaign and makes a real impact on the local area.

    Laois County Council asks local communities to spring into action and fight against litter.

    Groups, communities, neighbours and friends register with the environment section of the council and receive gloves, bags and litter pickers.

    The big clean-up in Laois takes place this week, with rubbish being collected around the county from 24 April, but An Taisce's Spring Clean takes place throughout the whole month of April. Could you do this in your area?

  • Heading for the till with an impulse fast-fashion purchase? Leave it back and take a browse around your local vintage or charity shop instead. Treasures found in charity shops include vintage denim, designer cast-iron cookware and hardly-worn cashmere jumpers.
  • Make the phone call, send an email and switch to online billing where possible. Just be warned: you might need to set a reminder of when these bills are due for payment when there is no physical paper bill coming through your post-box.
  • For the pets in your life, look out for Irish-made pet food. Read the label, ask in your local pet shop or agri-store and support Irish business.

    • Finally, one more job that you could do this Earth Day is to neuter or spay the cats and dogs in your life. Reduce unwanted visitors to your property, reduce the chances of having to care for new arrivals and reduce the number of unwanted dogs and cats already in pounds and rescues around the country.

    Small changes can lead to big differences this World Earth Day.

    If you take one step for Earth Day, share this on social media and tag us in it!

    Most importantly, only do what you can; small steps can lead to big differences.

    For further tips and advice, check out:

  • Pollinators.ie
  • Earthday.org
  • Bluepetco.com