Happy World Earth Day 2026!

River Bovey at National Trust Parke Estate

Today, April 22nd, is World Earth Day and this year's theme is 'Our Power, Our Planet', a call for collective action and community-led change. Since its founding in 1970, Earth Day has aimed to raise awareness of environmental issues such as climate change and the protection of natural resources. Over the past 52 years global campaigns have tackled plastic pollution, promoted climate literacy and ecosystem restoration. But given the state of today's climate crisis, how much impact have these had? Climate change transcends borders and effects all of humanity, but those who are least responsible are being the hardest hit.

Spring in Bradley Woods

And yet, change is happening. At the level of everyday life, many of our habits and views have shifted significantly over the past 50 years. In the UK, limiting plastic usage, recycling and conserving energy are now mainstream. Eating less meat and choosing vegetarian options is increasingly normal. I even have a wide choice of meals when I go out to eat, when just 5 years ago there would be the one token veggie option. Across the country, thousands of people get involved in local environmental initiatives every week. These are not small changes and we must not get disheartened.

However, looking at today's headlines, I did feel that familiar despair. Major news outlets give little attention to Earth Day or the environmental issues that will shape humanity's future. They focus instead on Starmer/Mandelson, Trump and Iran. The absence of environmental coverage raises the uncomfortable question: if the defining issue of our time struggles for attention, how do we sustain momentum?

The answer is to look beyond the headlines. The Earth Day manifesto reminds us that:

"At a moment of heightened uncertainty and environmental stress, one conclusion is clear and broadly shared: progress in protecting our land, air and water is real, resilient and ongoing."

Although England is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world, there are tangible signs of recovery and resilience everywhere. Choughs are breeding again in Kent after 200 years, nearly 1000 beavers now live in the wild, including here in Devon, and pine martens have also been recently reintroduced.

Scientific progress offers further grounds for optimism. UK researchers tackling ash dieback have developed methods to rapidly cultivate disease resistant trees, reducing the germination time from years to a few days, giving hope to restoring woodlands. Advances in addressing plastic pollution - from plastic-eating bacteria to a materials that dissolve safely in seawater - show how innovation can tackle even the most persistent challenges..

At a system level, change is accelerating. Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar are overtaking coal in global electricity generation. Many economies are reaching peak fossil use, the transition to cleaner energy is gathering pace. In the UK, renewables are on course to provide over half of electricity generation this year.

None of this suggests that the climate crisis is solved - far from it, We have already passed major tipping points, such as the collapsing of the Greenland and Antartic glaciers and mass coral reef bleaching. But it does show that progress could be possible.

Small local actions can often have meaningful impact. Taking action at home is often a good first step and our garden is now a designated Devon Wildlife-friendly Garden. One initiative that we introduced a few years ago was No Mow May. Already this Spring, here are the flowers that are sustaining the early pollinators (too windy to photograph any butterflies today!):

The longer grass captures more carbon, provides shelter for a range of insects to thrive and gives the birds a natural source of food. We also have three small ponds. This one is home to at least one frog, and maybe this year we will get some newts. Providing fresh water and suitable food encourages garden birds to visit too.

In the local area, something as simple as picking up litter on a walk can protect wildlife and improve the environment for everyone. On my latest visit to the beach, I found myself photographing the litter amongst the flotsam:

Feeling concerned for the gulls feeding along the shore I collected as much as I could and brought it home to recycle. And it did me good too. Taking action counters the feelings of helpnessness and despair.

So today, whether it is a litter pick, contacting your local representative, or simply spending time in nature and noticing what is worth protecting, take a moment to act. Progress does not happen in silence. It happens when people, like me and you, show up.

Individual action is essential, but it is not sufficient on its own. Systematic change requires political will. We need to use our voices - and our votes - to support those committed to a more sustainable future. As Rebecca Solnit reminds us:

"More than almost anything else, climate action is the work we can do now that will matter when the babies born today are 74 in 2100, in a century, a millennium, for the oceans, the arctic, the forests, the species, for life on earth going forward."

If you are looking for inspiration, join a local group campaigning for the Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill and push for a statutory duty on local councils to ensure environmental action. Here is a link to some more ideas, or read Rebecca Solnit's new book The Beginning Comes After the End: Notes on a World of Change. Here is a link to an interview with Rebecca. For positive environmental stories, try Happy Eco News

and find inspiring stories from around the world reimagining climate action.

#earthday; #nomowmay; #litterpick; #birdsong