It’s April, which means Earth Day is fast approaching. Every year on April 22nd, the achievements of the worldwide environmental movement are celebrated.
First celebrated in 1970, with the aim to raise global awareness and inspire meaningful change, Earth Day has morphed into an economic opportunity for companies to adopt a superficial image of environmental responsibility without substantive action.
In recent years, major corporations have used Earth Day as a marketing tool. Limited-edition items such as an eco-design Stanley Cup and t-shirts adorned with environmental mottos such as “Save Our Planet”, are designed to make a profit off a major issue.
You do not need to buy a single product to celebrate Earth Day.
These companies are promoting consumption as a solution to environmental degradation, a problem in large part fuelled by overconsumption itself.
Many leading companies exploit Earth Day to greenwash their brands, projecting an image of sustainability while their operations continue to undermine genuine environmental progress. In some instances, these businesses can actually be harming the planet, diverting support from truly sustainable companies. It can be difficult to identify greenwashing, so here are some red flags to look out for this Earth Day:
- Buzzword Overload: Beware of companies that rely on vague terms like “conscious”, “green”, or “natural”. Credible brands will often back up their claims with certifications from recognised bodies such as B Corporation or Fair Trade.
- Episodic Green Branding: Genuine commitment to sustainability should be year-round, not just a once-a-year marketing blitz coinciding with Earth Day.
For a deeper insight into a company’s environmental performance, tools such as the Net Zero Tracker, which assesses companies who have pledged net-zero emissions, or the Climate Disclosure Project (CDP) who give companies a letter-based ranking A-D minus are available to the public.
This year’s Earth Day theme, “Our Power, Our Planet” calls on people worldwide to transition to renewable energy, with an ambitious target to triple global renewable generation by 2030.
The official Earth Day campaign urges governments, industries, and businesses alike to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy technologies. The focus is particularly on the United States, where governmental actions often sway the directions of environmental initiatives.
Recent trends hint at a withdrawal from global climate leadership, with Trump introducing new policies that prioritise domestic oil and gas production over clean energy investments. Within just his first three months in office, Trump’s administration dismantled nearly 100 policies intended to protect clean air, water, wildlife, and reduce chemical hazards, underscoring the urgency of individual and collective action on Earth Day.
To ensure your personal impact resonates as loudly as the global call for change, consider these steps for meaningful engagement this Earth Day:
- Sign Petitions: Join environmental organisations such as Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, Oxfam, and Surfers Against Sewage in their campaigns for urgent climate action.
- Support Ethical Consumption: Shift your shopping habits toward sustainable, ethically produced, or second-hand products.
- Reduce Meat Consumption: Lower your red meat intake, a change that not only supports your health but also helps reduce the environmental burden associated with meat production.
- Participate Locally: Get involved in beach clean-ups or local conservation initiatives organised by groups like Surfers Against Sewage or the Marine Conservation Society.
