5 acts of kindness for our planet this Earth Day

We round up some simple tips to help you tackle the climate and environmental crisis. Every action counts

There is no planet B. It’s a simple fact of life and one that’s been at the forefront of conversations about climate change for some time now. We’ve got to repair the damage we’ve already done to the planet and plan for a more sustainable future - if we want to secure our place on Earth for generations to come.

To mark Earth Day, let’s consider how we can individually take action to make a difference to our planet.

What is Earth Day?

April 22 marks Earth Day - a global environmental movement that aims to teach people how to respect the planet and mobilise against the forces which affect it.

Since a protest on this day in 1970 against the exploitation of our environment, this day is now a moment for us to come together and spread awareness of what is no longer simply climate change but a climate emergency.

This year’s Earth Day theme is ‘Restore Our Earth’. Participants are urged to focus not only on how we can reduce our impact on the planet but also on how we might actively repair ecosystems.

Are you looking for ways to take part in Earth Day this year? Here, we round up some ideas for tackling the climate and environmental crisis today, or any other day of the year.

Buy: Products that show kindness to your local wildlife

In the spirit of repairing ecosystems, if you have an outdoor space at home, our fellow B Corp Green&Blue has some lovely products to help your local wildlife thrive, including bird feeders, birdhouses and their award-winning 'Bee Brick'.

Based in the beautiful seaside town of Perranporth in Cornwall, husband and wife team Kate and Gavin Christman are passionate about designing beautiful, stylish products that help give wildlife ‘a home’.

Alternatively, purchase a litter picker. If you’re heading out for a walk or are making a trip to a local park, clean the space up as you’re admiring the scenery.

Switch: To a plant-based alternative

We were delighted to see that another fellow better business, Alpro, has announced they’ve recertified their B Corp status, meaning their commitment to helping the environment is still at the forefront of their company mission.

If you’re a tea drinker who wants to switch to plant-based milk but are yet to find the perfect option for your cuppa, Alpro has got you. They’ve introduced the ‘My Cuppa’ milk to their range of soya drinks, and we thoroughly recommend it in a brew - no curdling in sight!

Follow: Environmental influencers on social media

If you're looking for a little inspiration on how to make more sustainable choices, then Instagram is full of people raising awareness of the importance of environmental activism.

If you’re not already following eco-warrior royalty Greta Thunberg, then that’s a good place to start. But, there are so many other people we love that are doing great work through their social presence.

For example, Steph Elswood, a vegan fitness influencer is all about encouraging a wholesome plant-based lifestyle and provides amazing inspo through her tasty plant-based recipes.

She’s also launched a sustainable product range, Sasstainable, including bamboo cutlery, biodegradable toothbrushes, silicone food storage pouches, and more. And, for every order made on Earth Day, they will plant one tree per customer!

If you want to make more sustainable fashion choices, we’d recommend following Fashion Revolution - an organisation fighting for more accountability in the fashion industry and greater transparency in supply chains.

Watch: Seaspiracy on Netflix

If you haven’t seen it already, then add this documentary to your watchlist for the weekend. Seaspiracy examines the global fishing industry, challenging notions of ‘sustainable fishing’ and showing how human actions cause widespread environmental destruction.

It makes for a difficult watch at times, especially if fish is currently part of your diet, but we believe it’s important to be confronted with this message, rather than to plead ignorance.

Meditate: Heal with Mother Earth

If you’re looking for a moment of quiet to contemplate how you can use your power to best serve the planet, meditation can offer this.

Intuitive wellness guide and founder of Emerald + Tiger Jasmin Harsono is sharing a special 15-minute energy healing meditation for planet Earth on Clubhouse on Thursday 22nd April at 7:15pm (BST). Why not join this community in sending healing to Mother Earth, nature and all living things?

If you can't make the session, you can also try this Earth Day meditation:

If you want to do more for the planet, but you feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to start, it’s often best to start small. Make one change, practice it regularly (so it becomes a habit), and you’ll be on your way to making more planet-friendly choices.

If you’d like support in developing sustainable practices, climate coaching could help. Working with a coach who offers climate coaching or works in a climate-aware way can help you to make meaningful change in your life. To find out more about this growing sector of the coaching industry, visit Life Coach Directory.