Earth Day is here and even if you’re not a bona fide environmentalist, never fear! Just like the Earth is for everyone, so is Earth Day. As president of the Environmental Club at Rosary, I have a deep passion for the Earth and want to share that with as many people as possible. Read on to learn some of the ways that Royals are celebrating and how you can too. 

1. Beach cleanups: The Environmental Club did a beach cleanup together,

   

   which is one of the best ways to incorporate environmentalism in your life. Going out with a group of friends and participating in your own beach cleanup or one through a group like Surfrider the California Coastal Commission gives you the perfect opportunity to get outdoors and do good. Riley Martinez ‘24, vice president of the Environmental Club, greatly enjoyed her experience during our beach cleanups, saying “It was fun working together to clean the environment and getting to know other people who care as much as I do.”

2. Composting: For all of your organic wastes, there is a simple solution. Composting allows wastes like kitchen scraps, paper, and lawn cuttings to return back to the earth as nutrients. If you’re interested in composting, be sure to check out The Rodale Book of Composting. It has been my number one source for educating myself on the basics of composting and the myriad ways I can go about it.
3. The 4 R’s: You might be familiar with the saying “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” but what you might not know is that there is a fourth part to this common phrase. This fourth R, “Refuse,” represents the necessity of refusing to purchase unneeded products of low quality. An essential step to reducing waste is to reduce consumption. You’ll save money and the planet too.
4. Take a hike: Rather than just being a rude suggestion, its also a great way to get outdoors.

   

   I love to hike with both family and friends and hiking has been one of the most valuable tools I have to lift my spirits. Endorphins from exercise amplify the social aspect of this activity and can be great for bonding. Nothing brings a group of people together like witnessing one of Mother Nature’s beautiful views.

5. Pray: Join me this Earth Day in giving thanks to God for the blessing of our beautiful planet. One of the core tenets of our Catholic faith is “Care for God’s Creation” and there’s no better way to care for creation than to keep it clean and healthy. The patron saint of animals, Saint Francis of Assisi, is also the patron saint of the environment and of Rosary’s Environmental Club. We give special thanks to

   

   him for his patronage this Earth Day. 

This Earth Day, pick a way to celebrate and keep it going for the rest of the year. Join me in giving thanks for God’s beautiful creation and I wish you a very happy Earth Day!