Earth Day 2024: We have a triple threat of environmental challenges. Here’s what we can do.

Anne Schrader
Updated ·5 min read
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We are living in unprecedented times that call for sustainable solutions to the many era-defining challenges unfolding in the world today.

With many still overcoming the life-shuddering impacts of a world-wide pandemic, and with increasing extremes in human, environmental and economic health crises, how do we prioritize, in our already full capacity lives, where we place our attention to help, in some way, be the kind of change we want to see in the world for todays and future generations?

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Psychology research affirms that a change in our inner world precedes a change in our outer world. And improvements in our individual and collective thoughts, beliefs and values, as the Schwartz Theory of basic human values indicates, empowers us “to break free from negative patterns, develop healthier habits, and achieve our goals.”

Anne Schrader is the founder and owner of Eco Solutions.
Anne Schrader is the founder and owner of Eco Solutions.

As values are beliefs about what is and isn’t important in life, and we reflect on the critical state of our world today, we are increasingly confronted with the pivotal opportunity to reappraise how we value and prioritize one of our most important and essential relationships: our relationship with the natural world.

Earth Day 2024 is set for Monday, and every day we depend on biodiversity — the finite and precious wild life and natural resources needed to keep us alive and healthy. But our world, and the diversity of life it supports, is under threat. And although Mother Nature may not have a voice, her calls for sustainable action are loud and clear.

Triple Planetary Crisis

The United Nations has adopted the term, “Triple Planetary Crisis,” as a framework to describe three intersecting global environmental challenges that humanity currently faces: climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.

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Climate change is regarded, through scientific consensus, to be one of the most critical and defining issues of our time. Its effects are manifesting accelerations in the frequency and severity of droughts, water scarcity, wildfires, rising sea levels, flooding, melting polar ice, catastrophic storms and declining biodiversity.

According to the Fifth National Climate Assessment, our nation now experiences a billion-dollar weather disaster every three weeks on average. These record-breaking events often disproportionately impact marginalized communities and are increasingly threatening millions of lives, homes, livelihoods, and ecosystems.

Spectators attend the opening of the Blue Paradox, an immersive experience on the ocean plastic crisis, presented by SC Johnson in partnership with Conservation International on Wednesday June 28, 2023 at the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago, Illinois.
Spectators attend the opening of the Blue Paradox, an immersive experience on the ocean plastic crisis, presented by SC Johnson in partnership with Conservation International on Wednesday June 28, 2023 at the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago, Illinois.

33 billion pounds of plastic in our oceans

Pollution of the air, water and soil is detrimentally impacting the human and environmental health and resiliency of the planet. According to the international organization, Oceana, 33 billion pounds of plastic waste makes its way into the oceans every year. Moreover, considered one of the most precious and finite natural resources, water quality and quantity is also bearing the impacts from increasing drought, industry, factory farm and stormwater runoff. And the World Health Organization reports air pollution as the largest cause of disease and premature death in the world, with more than seven million people dying prematurely each year.

Biodiversity loss of the earth’s species and ecosystems is declining faster than at any time in human history. Three fourths of the Earth's land surface and two thirds of its oceans have been significantly impacted by human overconsumption and population growth.

The main culprits of biodiversity loss include changes in land and sea use (e.g., conversions of forests to agricultural use); the direct exploitation of organisms such as over-fishing and the illegal trade of wild animal parts; climate change; and the pollution of fresh water, land and oceans.

7 small steps

Despite the increase in international, national and state action and the critical implications of the environmental and climate crisis, tangible evidence shows that not enough is being done, and with the level of urgency required, to not only address the underlying causes of these challenges, but to also implement sustainable solutions, mitigate the effects, establish resiliency measures and prepare communities for adaptation. Our collective calls for action begin with an understanding that sustainable living is about meeting our needs today without compromising the regenerative needs of nature or the generational needs of the future.

It also requires a fundamental shift in our awareness, values and priorities around a singular and existential truth, as stated by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres: “From the air we breathe to the water we drink to the soil that grows our food – humanity’s health depends on the health of Mother Earth.”

Mariana Camacho shows a sculpture made with recyclable materials by Colombian artist Edison Camacho in the Tire Museum, in San Francisco de Sales, Colombia, on March 31, 2023. The museum was born as a family business and began as an exhibition of sculptures made with recycled material as tires to raise awareness in society about environmental pollution and transform garbage into art.

So how do we implement an ecofriendly lifestyle at home, work and in our community? As small steps have BIG impacts when more of us take action, we can begin or improve the following:

1. Environmental Awareness & Education, by having more conversations with friends, family, co-workers and neighbors about the need to protect the environment;

2. Waste Reduction & Recycling by reducing overconsumption of natural resources and by following the waste management hierarchy of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Compost (3RC);

3. Energy Efficiency with over-all building solutions and behaviors that include turning off unused electricity, upgrading lighting and appliances, adding insulation, servicing HVAC Systems and transitioning to renewableenergy;

4. Water Conservation & Protection through the use of water-efficient behaviors and appliances, repairing leaks, limiting sprinkler use and safely disposing of toxic chemicals;

5. Green Purchasing by choosing ecofriendly brands, using nontoxic products and services, conserving natural resources, protecting wildlife and by supporting equitable and local businesses;

6. Clean Transportation by driving less, driving efficiently, and driving efficient vehicles; and

7. The Right to Vote by using your voice at the ballot box to stand up for environmental and social justice.

These are just some of the many ways that we can live in harmony with the natural world and take actions now as individuals, families, businesses, schools, churches, neighborhoods, communities, governments and nations.

Our collective call to action is that we all have an essential role to play and our best science tells us, we also have the solutions to create a more unified, sustainable, and resilient world.

Anne Schrader is the founder and owner of Eco Solutions, a sustainability consultancy providing educational presentations & training as well as Home & Business solutions in Cumberland County, North Carolina and surrounding communities. For more information visitwww.EcoSolutionsNC.com

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Earth Day: 7 steps we can take to combat air, water and soil pollution