Earth Day, the now well-known globally recognized holiday, first began as Senator Anton Nelson’s method of raising awareness on environmental issues in the 1960s due to an increased public concern about pollution. Earth Day helped lead to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and other public policies for ecological nourishment. 

Earth Day has always carried the sentiment that we only have one Earth and we must love and cherish it as our mother. In times such as now, this sentiment is really important. Our Earth is precious and something to nourish, not something to conquer and abuse. 

This Earth Day, we need to research these problems that are beginning to pollute our world and take a step back to evaluate our choices and impact. Every choice we make and every plastic bottle we throw away has an impact far greater than ourselves. We impact the future generations with every bonfire gone out of control and every fast fashion haul. This Earth is more than resources for our gain or land for our sowing, it is a union of diverse and impossibly complex terrains of ecosystems. 

Instead of just posting a dump of pretty aesthetic nature photos this Earth Day, understand your impact, your voice, and the reality of our world. 

Next time you want to buy a dress for one occasion knowing it will be tossed next year during your spring closet clean out, think again. Maybe you have a dress that would work or even one you can rent. Or try thrifting and instead of loving it only once, keep it, wear it, and be an outfit repeater.