Wednesday, April 22, marked Earth Day, which has historically been dedicated to recognizing the impacts we, as humans, have on our planet and the responsibility that comes with it. While the date itself only comes once a year, conversations about our climate and taking accountability for it extend beyond it.
Green Team, a club here at Wooster, collaborated with the DLI Climate Change class to present in Chapel on the significance of the day, pushing students to think critically about the environment and how their daily choices contribute to it.
In 1970, Earth Day began as a nationwide effort to raise awareness of environmental issues, and today, it has evolved into a global movement focused on protecting ecosystems and sustainability.
Beyond its history, Earth Day raises more immediate questions, like what does it mean to be environmentally conscious in your everyday life?
For Eve '27, a founding Green Team member, Earth Day is about “having gratitude for the things that we oftentimes take for granted and putting that into effect by being intentional and thoughtful with our actions.”
A major focus of the presentation was understanding our carbon footprint. Every day in our everyday activities, we produce greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide, and methane. Emissions such as these largely come from transportation and energy use.
The Green Team highlighted simple but effective ways to reduce this impact, such as switching to LED lights, walking or biking when possible, reducing food waste, and making more sustainable food choices.
Cecelia ‘29 shared that she lowers her own carbon footprint by taking shorter showers and consistently cleaning out data on her devices.
“Earth Day is especially meaningful because our planet is the most precious thing we have,” Cecelia shared. “The planet is one thing all humans have in common.”
Beyond climate change, the presentation also addressed the importance of protecting animals and ecosystems. Every year, over 10 million animals in the United States suffer from abuse. Billions more are used in testing. Students encouraged others to spread awareness and support organizations that work to protect animals by being cruelty-free.
Environmental issues such as overfishing were also discussed, and members emphasized how disrupting marine ecosystems can lead to biodiversity loss and threats to global food security.
Similarly, bugs and insects are essential to ecosystems, and their role is frequently overlooked. Insects pollinate a majority of plants and have major roles in decomposition and the food chain.
Many simple actions can combat this issue, such as planting native species, avoiding pesticides, and reducing lawn mowing.
Additionally, a prevalent topic that connects to many current-day conversations is the environmental impact of artificial intelligence. While AI is often seen as efficient, it relies heavily on data centers that require massive amounts of water.
This contributes heavily to electronic waste, and Senior Hanna shared her personal hope that students should think more critically about the environmental costs of digital consumption.
More tangible for us on Wooster’s campus, the school’s composting system was highlighted as a successful example of sustainability in action. Breaking down food scraps into nutrient-rich soil reduces landfill waste and also supports plant growth.
Ultimately, the message of Earth Day is clear: awareness is crucial to action. Whether it’s making more sustainable choices or advocating for environmental policies, everyone has a role to play. Earth Day is not just a day; it is an ongoing commitment to protecting the planet we all share.
Lucy '27
Advanced Journalism Student
Scarlett '27
Advanced Journalism
