Every Day is Earth Day

The theme of this year’s Earth Day – which also happens to be Dolphin Project’s 55th birthday! – is “Our Power, Our Planet.” And while this slogan pertains to renewable energy and global clean electricity (crucial goals in their own rights), I found myself questioning: what is my power and how can I help our planet?

I have always believed that if everyone does something, then every “thing” can get tended to. We are all individuals with our own powers, interests, and goals. And, chances are, if you’re reading this blog, you have some interest in dolphins, in the environment, and how we can collectively help protect this space we call Earth for all its inhabitants.

Our on-the-ground Indonesian team provides water and care to confiscated songbirds, West Bali, Indonesia

In an age where social media plays such a large role in our consumption of news and other content, it can become overwhelming to read and scroll through the myriad of problems faced in the world. Do we focus on climate change or companion animals who need foster homes; a clean-up of neighborhood waterways or drawing attention to food waste; reducing our use of non-recyclable goods or helping to bring awareness to dolphins held captive in a dismal tank at a local aquarium? Where do we start when everything is important and feels weighted evenly?

Ask yourself this: What moves you? Motivates you? Angers you? Puts a smile on your face? Causes you to feel sad? Where we feel our emotions is where we connect. And this connection is where we will be most emotionally invested to take action.

This is YOUR power. And this is how we can change OUR world in positive and lasting ways. So without further ado, what specific actions will you take, not just on April 22 but every day?

RELATED:

The 13th annual Empty the Tanks Worldwide Event is taking place on May 10 and 11. Learn more how you can participate during this global day of action.

Featured image: NASA on The Commons, and pod of wild common dolphins off the southern California coast. Permission: Flickr Commons and credit: Tracie Sugo