Eco Comment – April = Earth Month

I find that I’m increasingly aware that the beginning of April marks a brighter, lighter time of year. Suddenly everything in nature appears to change and start growing. It could be of course that as I get older I have more time to notice these things. Maybe it’s the fact that the green bins are now being emptied and I want to make the most of being able to have my garden rubbish collected? Whatever the reason, I certainly want to make the most of the spring sunshine. 

I have been aware of Earth Hour, which takes place on 22 March because I can rarely take part in it. My lights and television are invariably switched off at 20:30 as I am usually playing in a concert. Earth Day, on April 22 is again known to me because this year we in the Eco Group will again be celebrating it at the Hepworth Gallery with other environmental groups. Earth Month, however, is a new one on me. So I did some investigations. 

There appear to be several versions of this month depending on where you are in the world. I discovered that if you are in Canada, there is Eco Justice offering 7 ways to make a difference this Earth Month 2025. (ecojustice.ca) They offer the opportunity ‘to take action for a thriving planet and healthier communities. It’s also a time to reflect on how together we can protect our environment for future generations.’ On reading further into their page they state ‘No action is too small. When we come together, we can protect vulnerable species, stop climate chaos and build healthy communities for us all. Let’s work together to create lasting systematic change. DONATE NOW FOR DOUBLE THE IMPACT’ This last sentence gets me wondering. I then discover that they are Canada’s ‘largest environmental law charity (who) help people take governments and polluters to court; expose illegal practices; and shape new laws to meet the urgency of the climate and ecological crises.’  Hmm … I applaud the sentiments, but do I want to contribute? 

I then discover OneTreePlanted (onetreeplanted.org) offering ’40 fun ways to celebrate Earth Day throughout Earth Month.’ It suggests that we’re ‘probably itching to do all the nature-related things and perhaps wondering: are there any fun things to do near me?’ The site then proceeds to list the 40 fun things that you could take part in alongside a BIG donations banner which if you donate, the monies go to a charity in Vermont US.  

Are you beginning to see a theme here? 

The best though has to be Earth Month Eco Challenge 2025: Conservation. (earthmonth.ecochallenge.org) ‘for earth, for each other, for tomorrow’ ‘This Earth Month, let’s take action to create a better tomorrow for people, nature, and future generations. Together we can turn hope into action and create a ripple effect of positive change for our planet!’ We are then encouraged to join 7708 other participants in 6 different action categories. We can choose between ‘Land, water, and air, Wildlife, Community and Connection, Empowering the next generation, Health and Wellbeing, and Sustainable Innovation.’ All really laudable topics of environmental issues. I then read a bit further and discover that ‘Eco Challenge is a digital platform that gamifies behavior change. Fun challenges encourage new habits. Small steps lead to big change. Together, we build a more sustainable world.’ The spelling of behaviour should give you a clue as to where this company is based … yes, you guessed it Portland, Oregon US. Where ‘Donations are tax-deductable and greatly appreciated.’ 

This line of research is not ending up where I thought I was going. It’s not that I’m suspicious of so called ‘green washing’ but I’m very suspicious of the proliferation of these so called days of, and months of and even years of. How can we be sure that they are really what they are?  

I really engage with the ideas they are promoting and if by gaming, as the last organisation works we engage with young people then I should be 100% behind it. That’s where I show my age I suppose. I grew up in an age before computers and if I’m honest I’m a bit scared of being drawn into things that I don’t understand and not sure if I want to understand. But, as the site states ‘Today’s youth are tomorrow’s changemakers. By supporting and inspiring the next generation, we equip them with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to build a better world. Your actions help empower future leaders to tackle environmental challenges and drive meaningful change.’ Possibly someone braver than me, or of a different generation needs to investigate this on my behalf. I think I’m going to be an old stick in the mud and try to continue doing things in real time with real people that I, the Eco Group and others from the cathedral congregations can be with in person.  

To this end we in the Eco Group are planning an ‘Eco Action Day’ on Saturday 7th June where we are inviting groups of young people from the Wakefield district to help us do a wildlife survey in the grounds of the cathedral. This day fortuitously happens to coincide with the A Rocha and Caring for God’s Acre event ‘Churches Count on Nature’. It is a chance for us to discover and measure the amount of both insect and wildlife that we have in our cathedral environs before the proposed cathedral square development. 

Please save the day. We need to have as many people as possible taking part.  

 Sue Morgan
Eco Group