Every April 22nd, I celebrate my birthday as an Earth Day baby. For me, this date symbolizes my commitment to nurturing our planet and enhancing the world around us. I strive to leave every space, interaction, and person better than I found them. While my birth date may not have directly influenced my passion for nature and a cleaner environment, I certainly use it as a platform to instill these values in my children. Thus, each year on my birthday, I take them on a “trash walk.”
I tell my kids that the greatest gift they can give me is to join me willingly on this trash walk. Though they don’t always jump at the chance with enthusiasm right away, we usually make our way through their initial complaints. It’s not the act of picking up litter that they mind; it’s the walking that seems tedious. I remind them that walking is beneficial for both the planet and our health, just like listening to them talk about video games may be boring for me, yet I do it without a fuss. So, let’s get those shoes on!
In late April, New England weather can be unpredictable, swinging from snow to warmth. More often than not, we need to layer up, which can add to the kids’ irritability. But suddenly adjusting from a chilly 60 degrees to an 80-degree day can lead to discussions about climate change and global warming. Extreme weather events like ice storms, wildfires, and rising sea levels are not random occurrences; they are the consequences of human actions. The burning of fossil fuels is a major contributor to our planet’s distress. I encourage my kids to think about why we turn off the tap when brushing our teeth. “Because we’ll harm polar bears if we don’t,” they mumble. Exactly! Now, let’s grab those discarded masks from the trees.
The pandemic has adversely affected many aspects of our lives, including our relationship with the environment. An increase in biomedical waste has harmed our ecosystems, with more solid waste ending up in landfills and a decline in recycling efforts. While disinfectants are crucial in combating COVID-19, they also contribute to pollution.
Though these impacts may be temporary, it will require long-term planning to recover from the damage. My children often ask what will happen to all the masks once we no longer need them. I’m unsure, but for now, we wear reusable masks and pick up the disposable ones that others carelessly discard. It’s great to wear one and not spread COVID, but please, toss your mask in the trash when you’re done.
Once my kids hear my rants, they’re generally eager to leave the house just to end my monologue. Plus, I’ve made it clear that they won’t get cake until the trash walk is complete. If that isn’t motivation, I don’t know what is!
The best part of our efforts to protect the planet is that we typically have a blast together. It turns into a scavenger hunt to see who can collect the most “smokers,” which we refer to as cigarette butts, dirty diapers, and plastic bottles. This also opens the door for conversations about privilege and entitlement in ways that we wouldn’t normally discuss unless we were facing the mess created by others.
This year’s Earth Day theme is “Restore Our Earth.” While I’m not a marketing expert, this seems somewhat redundant. Earth Day is fundamentally about repairing what we’ve lost, including our connection to our environment. I’m committed to doing my part and raising my kids to do the same. Once we push past the initial grumbling, we find pride in our work and a deeper understanding of the impact our actions have on the world around us.
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Summary:
Every Earth Day, I take my children on a “trash walk” to instill an appreciation for our environment and to actively combat littering in our community. Despite their initial reluctance, we turn the activity into a fun scavenger hunt that leads to valuable discussions about climate change and responsibility. This tradition not only marks my birthday but also reinforces our commitment to making a positive impact on our planet.