Do young adults really care about Earth Day?
SAVE THE PLANET! TURN OFF THE LIGHTS! REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE! When you see these taglines it’s usually associated with Earth Day. Earth Day is recognized annually on the 22nd of April as a means to put emphasis on environmental protection. The objective is to save natural resources and to repair damage to the already existing natural environment to make it better than before, according to a Google search.
While saving the planet we all live on is imperative to our living, how do young adults view Earth Day as a whole? In an attempt to answer this question, five young adults ages 17- 23; Kennedi Harris, 17, Macheila Anderson, 19, Allison Manning, 21, Kwention Hudson, 23, and Chynna Shields, 22, were asked a few questions about their thoughts on Earth Day.
Harris: “I think Earth Day was in March on the 13th”
Anderson: “I think it’s in February”
Manning: “I think Earth Day is on June something”
Hudson: “I think that it's in april, I’m just not sure of the day”
Shields: “Is it in May or April. It’s in one of those months.”
Harris: “I am thinking about recycling, having your own garden, using less water, and using less technology. I think of that episode of Barney who told us to turn off water when we brush our teeth.”
Anderson: “I rethink about keeping the earth clean, and appreciating the one planet, the one world we have. I think about going outside, and things blooming and the greenery.”
Manning: “I think about service projects, and the TV Programs that surround nature.”
Hudson: “I think about the color Green, and going green. I think about being environmentally friendly and fresh air,and earthly things.”
Shields: “A day of cleaning. Everyone going out and giving back to the community and cleaning the streets and bringing awareness to taking care of our planet. ”
Harris: “As a kid I didn’t really care about it. When Nickelodeon would do the full play outside and the channel would be dormant and we couldn’t watch anything, I would just change the channel.”
Anderson: “We talked about earth day in school. I didn’t understand the impact us individuals and the human race had on the earth and the negative impact we bring. I just enjoyed the festivities at school.”
Manning: “It was cool watching the commercials. I don’t think I did anything outside of school. In school we made little plants or sometimes we colored a picture of the earth.”
Hudson: “I never really thought about it. We did things in school like coloring and talked about keeping the earth healthy but that’s it.”
Shields: “I loved it. It was a day we went outside and didn’t have to sit in class.”
Harris: “I think now I am more conscious of actions toward the earth. I don’t litter and I have never done it and I know I want to have a garden when I get older and have plants in my house.”
Anderson: “I don't think about earth day specifically. I think recycling is very important, when I collect stuff like plastic and paper I see we use it alot and we just throw it away. One person can create so much waste, it’s not good for the environment or animals. Our stuff infiltrates their space and that's not cool because we wouldn’t like that if they did it to us. I like plants and planting things. Having fresh oxygen in the room helps me appreciate the earth and how it grows a bunch of little plants and stuff. I like to go on walks and just smell the fresh air from the trees and to hear the silence of nature and the noise of the birds and insects. I think about what the earth would look like if it was all natural. Especially in Illinois, because there are not a lot of natural places to go to, to appreciate the beauty. I think we should be one with the earth.”
Manning: “It doesn't phase me. It doesn't cross my mind. I don't pay attention to the media and news. I am not as aware as I should be. Maybe one day I’ll get back to being aware of it. Feels like it should be publicized more but it maybe and I just don't pay attention.”
Hudson: “It’s important, because we should take care of the earth. The fact that we have one day that brings everyone awareness to the earth is important, but at the end of the day it should be more than one day out the year to be conscious of what we do that affects the earth. I like to recycle and I think we should watch what we throw away so it doesn't end up in the water. I hate to see the turtles and whales that get the brunt of the trash that washed up in the oceans and you can’t forget about the birds that get covered in oil.”
Shields: “I think it’s even more important/ aad i get older we are treating the world worse and worse. It is important we acknowledge that day and acknowledge taking care of the earth in general.”