April 23rd is International Book Day, so there’s never been a better time to read the books that champion planet Earth. Here’s EARTHDAY.ORG’s 2024 eclectic list of the books we love. Some of them inspire action, some make us think about the world in a different way, some had a massive impact, and some are just fantastic reads. So, grab a mug of tea and settle down… 1. Silent Spring (1962) by Rachel Carson Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring was published in 1962, and it is hard to overestimate the impact of this truly seminal book. Carson had risen through the ranks to become the editor-in-chief o ..read more

Armenia is an ancient country which lies just beneath the sprawling Caucasus Mountains, celebrated for its scenery, its wonderful hospitality, its deep Christian roots and its biodiversity. Yet, over time, the country’s bioresources have been gradually depleted, and it was named as one of Conservation International’s 25 most endangered regions. Armenia is used to dealing with crises, and, in the midst of this one, many groups of citizens stepped up to start restoring their country’s environment. These efforts have been largely led by the impressive work of the Armenia Tree Project.  The ..read more

Do you ever feel paralyzed by climate anxiety? Want to help the planet, but not sure how to go about it? I can assure you, you are not alone.  According to Yale, as of July 2023, 7% of the U.S. population was experiencing diagnosable “psychological distress” as a result of the climate crisis, with higher rates of anxiety attributable to people who identify as Hispanic/Latino or Gen Z/Millennial.  Which is why I was so excited when I first heard about Denver Public Schools Students for Climate Action (DPSS4CA). This student-led organization has turned despair into action by lobbying ..read more

Whether it’s the lively tunes of Beyoncé or the timeless, slow jazz of Miles Davis, music is all around us. With paid streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music, listening to your favorite song has become easier than ever before. As a result, music sales have been increasing at significant rates and last year globally reached their highest total sales since 1999, peaking at an astounding $28.6 billion, However, with this extreme growth also comes the heavy environmental toll associated with music production, tours, and festivals.  Music production — from recording and distributin ..read more

Television and film take us to far-away worlds and put us in other characters’ shoes where we can all escape for a short period of time. Movies and television shows do an important service to those of us who especially need the break! Recently large productions like Oppenheimer are ”blowing up” in the entertainment industry, with eye-catching visual effects and a star-studded cast. Although a bomb was not actually used, drums of fuel were set on fire to mimic the historical explosions and while it is undoubtedly true that these box office extravaganzas produce truly eye -catching visual effec ..read more

Plastics are very good for holding the fibers of your t-shirt together, or even for creating the glue that sticks your tea bags together, but plastics are also extremely effective at poisoning our oceans too; one massive garbage patch at a time. In fact, there are five, one in the Indian Ocean, two in the Atlantic Ocean, and two in the Pacific Ocean. The most famous lies between California and Hawaii and spans 620,000 square miles, according to CNN. Contrary to popular belief, you can’t see these “patches” with the naked eye. Instead, the trash spreads across the surface and into the ocean fl ..read more

Did you know that being zero waste and owning fewer things can actually increase your happiness and well-being? In honor of International Day of Zero Waste, we invite you to join us in trying out the zero waste lifestyle and learning about how you can simplify your life and reduce your carbon footprint… and your own stress.  1. Less Really is More  A big part of living a zero waste lifestyle includes buying and owning less stuff. The average American owns hundreds of thousands of possessions. We have so many belongings that we spend $38 billion a year in the U.S. alone just on stori ..read more

As spring approaches, the days get longer, the air warms up, and students are more tired than ever. Luckily, spring break is just around the corner, which means many of us will be partying on the beach, visiting beautiful destinations around the world, or just taking a much-needed break from school.  But before you hop on a plane, think about the ways that climate change is altering our world and the way we travel. If we continue to produce more greenhouse gas emissions, more plastic pollution, and toxic waste, we won’t be able to visit these destinations anymore. But the consequences fo ..read more

Last December, Studio Ghibli released the final feature-length film of Hayao Miyazaki’s career: The Boy and the Heron. With the 96th Academy Awards scheduled to air this Sunday, and his film nominated, many are wondering whether the Japanese genius behind Spirited Away (2001) can bring home a second Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Although critics and fans alike have been quick to point out the autobiographical elements in the film, what interests me even more are the ways in which the director picks up where he left off in terms of the themes and preoccupations of his earlier work, such as ..read more

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