The theme for Earth Day 2026 is “Our Power, Our Planet”. Together as a global community, made up of individuals and communities we have the power to effect positive change. Through education about climate change and that which makes for a healthy environment we can teach each other how to effect positive change. Many small actions such as picking up rubbish and disposing of it appropriately when performed by members of a community have the power to change that community for the better and hence the world. Never underestimate the power of change.

Dr. David Suzuki and Ian Harrington on March 6 discussed how GDP (Gross Domestic Product) wasn’t ever meant to be what runs our lives. Dr. Suzuki explains how we have enough for everyone on our planet. It is just a matter of adjusting our priorities. To quote the science Matters newsletter “The world can provide enough for everyone, but too many greedy people are hoarding wealth and resources and destroying natural life-support systems to accumulate more money and power.” Overuse of technology and unequal distribution and prioritisation of wealth has caused a lot of the problems with our world. However technology and a reprioritisation of resource use can resolve them. We need a call to action. Thank you Dr. Suzuki.

Security is important.  Laws are needed to protect the environment.  Some organisations that are involved in reforestation legally protect the forests against logging for 100 years.  This provides security.  Parks and designated wilderness areas also provide security for the environment.

Laws are required to prevent waterways from being polluted by chemical waste.  This has resulted in clean waterways and the return of wildlife and plants.  Councils frequently refuse permission to cut down trees.  Council regulations provide security.

It is the reliability of practises which leads to sustainability.  The practise of going on a daily walk leads to good health.  Picking up a piece of rubbish while you are out on that daily walk leads to an environment which is sustainably clean.  Planting a tree every year in celebration of the environment leads to a systainable atmosphere.  It is the reliability of these practises that leads directly to sustainability of both your health and the health of the planet.

Why not join us and practise picking up a piece of rubbish every day when you are out on your daily walk and plant one tree every year in celebration of International Spruce Day, January 5 th each year.  Many people following these practises reliably...

From a global point of view as a first step we need to work towards a sustainable environment. Human industry has upset the balance of Nature and we urgently need to right the situation by adopting sustainable practices. The Spruce Initiative leads to sustainability. We have previously shown how picking up one piece of rubbish a day when you are out on your daily walk leads to a sustainable cleanliness of the environment. For every one who picks up a piece of rubbish a day that’s one less person dropping it. For each person who plants a tree every year that’s one more tree that leads to a sustainable atmosphere. We encourage you to adopt sustainable practises.

The Spruce Initiative seeks to be freely available to all participants.  There is no charge for membership or monthly newsletters.  The Spruce Initiative network is transparent and available to all.  We welcome active participation.

The Spruce Initiative is an information and education website which provides equal access to all.  We advocate for the environment and we foster environmental awareness.  

The Spruce Initiative website is available 24/7.  Do consider joining us.

The UN on Climate Change states that the Paris Agreement is a binding international treaty forged in 2015 which amongst other things seeks to limit global warming to less than 2 degrees above preindustrial levels.  In addition it proposes a preferable goal of 1.5 degrees above preindustrial levels.  A rise of 1.5 degrees Celcius being the temperature above which the oceanic currents and climate change reach critical and irreversible change.

In order to achieve these climate change goals we need to globally and swiftly combat global warming with a goal of net zero carbon emissions.  Planting trees and reforestation is a start and a way must be found to do this quickly.  If enough people were prepared to plant a tree ...

Offsetting our carbon emissions is a last resort to reducing or eliminating our use of greenhouse producing  fuels, energy or manufacturing.  Greenhouse gases are gases which responsible for global warming.  Examples of these are carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.  Our carbon footprint is the total of our greenhouse gas emissions.

Offsets do not actually reduce carbon emissions at the source however they seek to offset carbon emissions by reforestation and investment in renewable energy production. Trees remove greenhouse gases from the air and produce oxygen and provide wildlife habitat.  Purchasing offsets is a way of compensating for our greenhouse gases from emissions.

Recycling paper, plastics, glass and metal is a good way of reusing valuable resources and reducing landfill.  One of the funniest recycling jokes at which I had to laugh was 100% recycled toilet paper!  Another material which I thought interesting was some 100% recycled rayon ladies blouse fabric.  Of course natural fibres are preferable from an environmental view point, however recycling artificial fibres saves landfill and resources.

It Is a good idea to look out for packaging that is made from recycled materials.   Where you can’t reduce or reuse items, recycling is the next best thing.  Recycling artificial materials does use more energy and produces more pollution than reducing or reusing, however it is...

It’s a good idea to pare down on what you use. One of the ways you can do this is to reduce the number of possessions you own.  Live frugally. Clear your clutter.  Hand down old clothes, jewellery, books and furniture.  Take unwanted items to your local op shop.  Or do the opposite.  Buy your clothes and other items from an op shop.
 

There are two ways to reuse items. Reuse them for the same purpose like shopping bags or repurpose items and use them for a different purpose. Repurpose items like plastic bags and jars.  Use old clothes and sheets that are not good enough to pass on as cleaning rags or painting drop cloths.  Give old furniture a new coat of paint, varnish or wax. &......