Our Power, Our Planet – supporting Earth Day 2026

March 31, 2026

News

Our Power, Our Planet

Supporting Earth Day – 22 April 2026

Earth Day is this month – on Wednesday 22 April 2026! We’ve gathered information, ideas, and resources to help bring attention to why this day is so important and how you can make a difference!

This year’s theme is “Our Power, Our Planet” – highlighting how as individuals we can all take part in protecting our planet for the future – and for our children. Earth Day is celebrated as part of Earth Week – on 18-26 April 2026.

The first Earth Day was held 56 years ago, in 1970 in the United States, with the intention of showing support for environmental conservation. Since then, it’s developed worldwide with thousands of people hosting events and broadening education on everything related to its key premise – helping our environment.

Why is this important?

Plastic Pollution: As of 2023, there were 21,000 pieces of plastic in the ocean for every single person on Earth. Species Decline: Wildlife populations have declined by 73% since 1970, highlighting the urgent need for biodiversity protection.

Excessive Demand: At current consumption rates, it would take 1.8 Earths to sustain the global population.

However, it’s not all bleak! People’s efforts have made improvements which is exactly what the day aims to encourage.

The Paris Agreement: a landmark accord to reduce global emissions, was intentionally opened for signature on Earth Day in 2016.

Green Sea Turtles: Reclassified from “endangered” to “least concern” on the IUCN Red List in 2025 due to decades of consistent, global, community-led protection.

National Plastic Bans: Australian states and territories have introduced laws to ban the most harmful single-use plastics, with a goal of an 80% reduction in plastic waste entering the environment by 2030.

Not everything has to be large scale though to have a positive impact, you can make a real difference for our environment even while staying at home!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Perform a “plastic audit” at home, say no to any single-use plastics, and repurpose items like old jars or containers.

Cleanup Initiatives: Join a cleanup of local parks, creeks, or neighbourhoods to remove trash.

Planting & Gardening: Plant trees to absorb carbon dioxide, start a vegetable garden, or create an insect-friendly garden to boost local biodiversity.

Energy Conservation: Switch to LED light bulbs, wash laundry in cold water, and reduce energy consumption to lower carbon footprints.

Data Collection: Use apps like iNaturalist to record local wildlife and plant data, helping scientists track biodiversity and attain data.

Local events celebrating Earth Day:

EWaste Connection Project

The Gap State School, 18 April: Ashgrove The Gap Lions Club and EWaste Connection are partnering to allow anyone to drop off any unwanted electrical items (working or broken) on 18 April, 8am-1pm, at The Gap State School (via staff carpark). See their ad in this edition – for more details.

Climate Fresk Workshop – facilitated by People for Nature

Walkabout Creek, 22 April: play the Climate Fresk Game. Looking for a fun and meaningful way to spend Earth Day? A globally recognised, science-based workshop that raises awareness of the causes and consequences of climate change – taking place at Walkabout Creek in The Gap from 5:30pm – 8:30pm. Buy tickets online: https://events.humanitix.com/climate-fresk-brisbane-april-2026

Local Community Groups:

Our region has a wide range of community groups that proactively support the environment and our planet – please consider assisting them via volunteering for their projects and activities, or by donations. Local groups include: The Gap Sustainability Initiative Inc, Boomerang Bags The Gap & Surrounds, The Gap Repair Café, Save Our Waterways Now (SOWN), and Paten Park Native Nursery. They would all love your help!