On April 22, Americans recognize Earth Day, a day that marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement. Established in 1970 with support of a coalition spanning political, ideological, and geographic divides, Earth Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the common value of environmental stewardship.
This Earth Day, consider these recommendations, resources, and stories from the Interfaith America network for advancing environmental care, responsibility, and action.
Read what diverse traditions have to say about caring for the planet
Learn about how different faiths approach caring for the earth in this article from the IA archives that explores the shared value of conservation.
Seek out awe and wonder in your everyday life
As Greater Good Magazine’s Jill Suttie points out, “[m]uch evidence suggests that feeling awe can increase our ecological consciousness — a sense of responsibility to help protect the natural world.”
Whether you’re taking a closer look at the trees blossoming in your neighborhood or marveling at the unknowns of the cosmos and the humans devoted to exploring it, appreciating the mystery of our surroundings is a great way to spend Earth Day.
Reflecting on what it means to be a “crew” alongside fellow Artemis II astronauts, NASA mission specialist Christina Koch spoke about the experience of seeing earth from space and how it’s shaped her understanding of teamwork.
“Earth was just this lifeboat hanging undisturbedly in the universe,” she said. “I know I haven’t learned everything this journey has yet to teach me, but there is one new thing I know. That is: Planet Earth, you are a crew.”
More on wonder: Science educator and IA Emerging Leader Elaine Krebs reflects on her time in Antarctica, finding awe and making connections to her Catholic faith on the icy continent in Dispatch from Antarctica, Part 3: Finding God in Nature.
Contribute to a service project in your community
Participating in clean-up, planting, or recycling efforts alongside neighbors is not only an effective way to benefit local ecosystems and contribute to sustainability efforts — it’s also an opportunity to cooperate across differences for the common good and build a culture of pluralism.
Join an Earth Day event in your community.
Get outside
As your surroundings evolve and signs of spring emerge, leave the screens behind and explore the outdoors. As the late ibrahim abdul-matin, interfaith leader and environmental activist, wrote for Interfaith America: “go outside, put your bare feet in the green grass, feel the sun, listen to the birds.”
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