April 22nd will mark the 48th edition of Earth Day. Since its inception in 1970, Earth Day has grown into “the world’s largest recruiter to the environmental movement.” This year’s theme, “End Plastic Pollution,” symbolises the widespread concern over the impact of ocean and freshwater plastic contamination on our global environment and on wildlife.

What can you do to help counter this growing problem?

• Calculate you plastic consumption with the Plastic Pollution Calculator;
• Reject plastic products that are one-time use (straws, bags, utensils, etc.);
• Chose reusable solutions, such as reusable water bottle, glassware, etc.;
• Find out your municipal by-laws regarding proper waste disposal and recycling facilities.

Download and read the Plastic Pollution Primer and Action Toolkit here!

But, you know how the old adage goes: think globally, act locally. Here are some local activities planned around Earth Day 2018:

Saturday April 21^st

Old Home Earth Day Event

10am – 4pm

Glebe Community Centre

Earth Day Party by Ecology Ottawa

8pm – 11pm

25onecommunity

Sunday April 22^nd

Re4m Presents: Earth Day at Mooney’s Bay- Community Cleanup

10am – 2pm

Mooney’s Bay Park and Beach

Green Screen Presents: Earth Day Climate Change Films

10:30am – 4pm

Carlingwood Shopping Centre