Ways to Celebrate Earth Day When Everything Feels Hopeless

You might be vaguely aware that Earth Day is coming up. As we peek out from behind our screens full of death, destruction, the slow (and not so slow) erosion of our public lands, we will see a climate that is parched of water. 

The scene is enough to make any of us feel hopeless. I certainly have been feeling less inspired than ever to celebrate the outdoors and to promote good stewardship. 

But if you would shake off the dust of apathy for just a few moments, I would implore you to consider that we need celebration now more than ever. 

Celebrating Earth Day this year is not a pointless exercise in virtue signaling; it is a reminder that being a good steward of our planet is our duty and our joy. So, take hold of your bad feelings, put the phone down, and take a few moments to celebrate Earth Day, especially when everything feels hopeless. 

Volunteer Trailwork Days

Turn your existential anxiety into concrete physical changes with trailwork days! National Parks, State Parks, even local parks run by your city or county often need maintenance trailwork. Trail days can involve breaking and moving huge piles of rocks, or digging and shoveling lots of dirt. This kind of physical exercise helps remind you that you have a physical body, capable of making positive change in your community. Add that as a remedy to dread. 

Trash Clean Up 

Removing trash from your local beach, dog walk park, or favorite hiking trail is a great way to celebrate Earth Day. Trash is the physical manifestation of other people’s disregard for nature. If you are feeling hopeless about the state of the environment, remember that your actions matter and pick up some trash! Bring friends, family members, or just go on your own with a small trash bag.  

Fix up your bike 

Driving is not the worst thing you can do for the environment; billionaires starting wars for resources is the worst thing you can do for the environment. But, biking to work, biking to local events, or just going on bike rides is a great way to bring yourself closer to your environment and your community. Personal responsibility does not end just because other people are being worse than you. Plus, exercise releases endorphins which will help with the hopelessness. 

Don’t buy anything – fix something

Resist the urge to fall prey to retail therapy and don’t buy anything! For Earth Day find ways to get rid of reusable items in your house. Instead of paper towels, use cloth napkins. Instead of buying plastic bags, reuse the bags that come with your bread. If you’re feeling hopeless, remember that you are more resilient than they give you credit for. Planned obsolescence is a marketing tactic made up by companies to keep you dependent on them. Take yourself out of the cycle and fix something or repair it instead of buying a new one. 

Call your Senators

Finally, when things begin to feel really hopeless, contact your representatives and ask them what the heck they’re doing to stop the slow spread of the destruction of our environment. You can look up who your Senator and Representatives are easily online. They have an option for emailing them, calling them, and sometimes even texting, if talking on the phone is hard for you! 

Hopelessness is akin to apathy, and apathy allows for corruption and destruction to flourish. Don’t let the bad guys get you down. Celebrate Earth Day with personal action, time for yourself, and making a politician’s life difficult. The Earth Needs You!