Earth Day with CVIS

In the 1970s, after a large oil spill in Santa Barbara, the United States held the first Earth Day to raise awareness about our impact on the planet. From that first event, the message spread, and since 1990 Earth Day has been celebrated in countries all around the world. It is a day when people make an extra effort to positively impact the environment. This annual event is a reminder that we need to take care of our planet if we want our planet to take care of us. The message is now more important than ever. Last year was the hottest year on record since reporting began in 1850, and scientists attribute this rise in temperature to human activity. The good news is that more and more people are becoming aware and changing their ways for the sake of our future.

In honor of this special day, Colegio Costa Verde is planning many events and challenges during the month of April. We are having a photo contest highlighting the importance of nature and conservation, and to celebrate the beauty of the natural world. On Earth Day, Friday April 22, we are organizing a book exchange at our school. Our goal is to have each student in CVIS bring a book that they would like to exchange for another - a great way to reuse books! In addition to this, the students are being challenged to create new things out of plastic bottles, bags, cans, and other discarded materials.

Other activities we are planning can be done by anyone in the community. On April 21 we are organizing local clean ups. Throughout the month, we are challenging each and every family to make a change in habit to benefit the Earth. The idea is simple: living a more sustainable life requires changes in our daily lives, so make a change and try to stick with it. Change can be as simple as refusing to use any styrofoam or straws, to walk to school or work once or twice a week instead of driving, or to spend more time in nature. We can also help clean up our neighborhood, reduce our garbage, start recycling, or compost our kitchen waste. You can take shorter showers to conserve water. Whatever actions we take, however big or small, will have a positive impact.

So just think about how important the Earth is to you. Think about how important it will be for future generations. Now find a way to contribute to positive change, and do it!