This year has, predictably, presented the LFHS Environmental Club with unprecedented challenges.  

“Earth week is always our biggest week of the year,” said club president Madeline Medica. “With the pandemic, it has been difficult to get participation and figure out ways to promote Enviro Club.”

One way the club hopes to accomplish this is by organizing an annual “Earth Week” during the week of National Earth Day. This year, Earth Day day falls on April 22. 

“Even if people don’t participate, we just want people to start thinking about the environment and how they impact it!” Medica said. 

Starting next Monday, April 19, each day of the week has a different theme centered around benefiting the environment.  

4/19 – Meatless Monday

Enviro Club urges you to cut meat out of your diet for just one day. Try eating vegetarian meals and snacks!

The meat industry is infamous for its often unethical practices when it comes to animals and the environment. 

This industry is one of the largest contributors to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. Deforestation is also a major issue regarding human rights abuses and land-grabbing.

During a previous project, Enviro Club created a website compiling a list of vegan and vegetarian recipes which can be found here: Enviro Eats.

4/20 – Turtle Tuesday

Next Tuesday, Enviro Club is hoping for students to keep the turtles (and other marine life) in mind, and limit consumption of single-use plastics like straws and water bottles.

Plastic can be found covering around 40% of the ocean surfaces worldwide. Billions of pounds of plastic pollute the ocean, taking a direct and deadly toll on marine wildlife.

Sea turtles, seals, whales, dolphins, and other marine life ingest plastic, starve, and drown from it. 

“It all builds up, and even a small change can make a big difference,” junior club member Maeve Chlystek said. “What might seem like a small act, choosing not to use a straw or a plastic water bottle might just save the life of a marine animal.”

4/21 – Zero Waste Wednesday

This one may seem a little more daunting, but Enviro Club challenges you to go a day without producing waste! Instead of plastic bags and disposable water bottles, use Tupperware and reusable bottles!

Going just one day without producing any waste can have a positive impact on the environment. 

“We recognize that this might be difficult to accomplish, especially for those in person who might need to buy their lunch,” said junior member Gig Day. “But even just getting people to actively think about and educate themselves on how their waste impacts our environment is a win.”

4/22 – Thrifted Thursday

Enviro Club wants to see your most fashionable outfits—sustainable edition. When picking out your outfit for the day, whether you are in-person or remote, choose items that are second-hand, thrifted, or from sustainable companies! 

The Fast Fashion industry has disastrous impacts on the environment. Not only does it exploit its workers, but is a large contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and chemical and fabric waste. 

It is essential to break your fast fashion habits in the long term, but one day of sustainable fashion is a crucial first step!

4/23 – Free Plant Friday

Finally, historically the most popular day of Earth Week has arrived: Free Plant Friday! Enviro Club invites you to pick up a plant at the Enviro Club table during your lunch period. 

At last, remember: Every day is Earth Day! Supporting the Enviro Club next week is just one step towards what is hopefully a life-long effort to preserve the precious world around us.

“Earth Week presented many unique challenges for Enviro Club this year. I’m proud of the ideas and efforts members of the club put forth to make this happen,” club sponsor Mr. Mergl said. “Things haven’t always gone as planned but this could be one of the strongest Earth Weeks we’ve had in my time as sponsor. It couldn’t come at a better time either. The need to act has only been exacerbated in many ways by the pandemic. 

“As a result, variations of this are frequently heard in environmental circles, ‘We don’t need people to do earth-friendly things perfectly; we need everyone to try and to do whatever they can imperfectly.’”