Every April, people across the globe celebrate Earth Month. The celebration started in 1970 as a way to spread awareness for environmental issues. Pleasanton hosted community events to promote sustainability all month.
“I think it’s so important to celebrate Earth Month because we live on this planet. We’re not going anywhere anytime soon, so we need to take care of what we have today,” said Ishanvi Khare (‘27), a director of Sustainability Lens.
The Origins of Earth Month
The first Earth Day celebration started on April 22, 1970. Senator Gaylord Nelson organized the event. People participated in rallies, protests, and teach-ins, eventually resulting in the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
“A senator started this in hopes of getting Earth Day to spread to a lot of different states, schools, and countries because of the need for reducing emissions. After the industrial revolution, there were a lot of emissions and the environment wasn’t in a great place,” said Udita Saha (‘27), President of Local Leaders.
Earth Day eventually expanded into Earth Month, becoming an international event. As sea levels continue to rise and droughts worsen due to climate change, Earth Month still inspires relevant conversation.
“Especially now with everything that’s going on with our environment and the ongoing climate change… it’s important to raise awareness and use media as a way to work on it so that we know what students are protecting,” said Saha.
How Pleasanton Celebrated
On Wednesday, April 22, Local Leaders set up tables on the quad to promote sustainability in daily life. They distributed Post-It notes for students to suggest small ways to be more green in their lives. Suggestions ranged from sorting trash to biking to school.
“We made a really big poster with everyone in the club and everyone made small drawings to continue throughout the month and even the year so that you can keep up with green goals,” said Saha.
In addition to on-campus celebrations, the city also celebrated in other ways. For Arbour Day on April 24, the city distributed trees that Pleasanton residents could plant.
“Plant a tree or educate yourself about your planet and what else you can do to help it,” said Khare.
The Pleasanton Public Library also hosted its own Earth Month celebration. On Saturday, April 25, library staff, student volunteers, and local organizations aligned with Pleasanton’s Climate Action Plan ran numerous festivities. They coordinated a clothing swap, outdoor games, and information tables.
“There was this guy and he had honeycomb. He was passing it out to people… [There’s also] a volunteer opportunity for Local Leaders, and I’m going there too,” said Hayoon Jung (‘28), a member of Local Leaders.
Overall, Pleasanton residents and students got involved in many ways this Earth Month. These small events can inspire changes that make an impact on our one and only planet.
“Local action can really make a difference… With all the global problems we’re facing right now, individual action, when taken into priority and if everyone does it, can actually make a really big difference,” said Saha.
