We protect what we love

FRIDAY . 22 . 04. 22 .

Hey there! Hi, Hello!

Welcome to a planet-focused newsletter.

It's Earth Day today, which marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. We're embracing Earth Day by providing you with some practical tips on how you can be a real life Captain Planet (those of you born in the 90's will know this epic cartoon reference). We're also linking you to some We Are Explorers articles to help you put the planet first this federal election.

As the planet-eers would say, "We're for team planet, and you can join us too. Cos' saving our planet is the thing to do. Looting and polluting is not the way, here's what Captain Planet has to say... 'The Power is Yours'" (adapted from the Captain Planet theme song).

Happy reading folks.

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EARTH DAY 22 APRIL: NATURE IN THE RACE TO ZERO

Earth Day is a global annual event that seeks to prompt everyone to invest in our planet, and take practical measures to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

The key message for this year's Earth Day is to act (boldly), innovate (broadly), and implement (equitably). 

Things you can do

Change starts with action. This action can be at an individual, community or political level. Here are a few suggestions that we have put together to get you inspired.

You can be an advocate for the planet, right from your home - make an Earth Day window sign. Yep, a classic low budget cardboard window sign is a wonderful way to show support for the planet and educate others. The team at Earth Day have some great suggestions to get you started, like "The climate's changing, why aren't we?" or "Let's rise up before the seas do". They also provide some advice on how your sign can give others direction to empower action at a broader scale.

Never make anything that doesn't serve at least two purposes. That sign you created for your last climate protest can be placed in your window to demonstrate planet solidarity. Photo: Elanor Finch.

Now that borders are starting to reopen, you can download a sustainable travel checklist from Earthy Me.

You can make your next meal plant-based. The western agriculture system accounts for more than a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions and is a huge contributor to ecological destruction. Shifting to a plant-based diet relieves our planet of the burdens of animal agriculture. Who knows, you might even expand this practice and dedicate a day a week to being plant-based. With some amazingly delicious and low-cost recipes available.

A plant-based lunch bowl, created by Paige Penrose. To make this plant-based goodness make a tofu scramble (tofu, turmeric, paprika, nutritional yeast and S&P), sauté veges (Paige used zucchini, capsicum, celery, mushroom, spinach and kate), mix everything together and serve with flat break or on toast. Photo: Paige Penrose.

Join an event. You can use this interactive map (scroll down the page a bit) to identify events in your local area. The Glebe Hotel (Sydney) is organising The Climate Fresk - a serious game on climate change, which aims to cover the fundamentals of climate science in a fun and interactive way. The New Weddington Community Gardens (Canberra) will be gathering citizens and supporters to clear and refresh the garden, which was established to provide a safe, open air environment and encourage locals to learn about the natural environment by providing tools, plants and planting areas to grow flowers, fruit and vegetables. For those of you in Melbourne, you can head to a local climate forum to find out what candidates plan to do about the climate crisis if they win the election.

As a bunch of trail runners, plogging is an easy and effective way to remove rubbish from our landscapes (and a great form of sports activism). You'd think Smudge had a big night, but she prefers pool water (seriously, why?) and tuna over 'sour strawberry' cruisers and Maccas hot chips any day. Photo: Elanor Finch.

You can also take a quiz. It's like pub trivia, just done by yourself, in your home, without the pub, and you're marked on your environmental awareness. Same, same but different, right?

In all seriousness, these quizzes are both educational and confronting. I completed the Sustainable Fashion quiz, and was surprised at just how much water is used to create one pair of denim jeans. There are so many available - Environmental Literacy quiz, nature and happiness quiz, whale conservation quiz - you can be there for days. Happy quizzing.

Whilst all of these personal acts are important, they can only do so much. Challenging the systems that surround us is integral to ensure we can all live healthy, happy and long lives on a thriving planet. Which brings us to politics. A Federal election is less than a month away, not to seem dire, but the outcome of this election will shape our future. Understand the power of your vote, and use it wisely....

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PUT THE PLANET FIRST

Croajingalong National Park after the 2020-21 Black Summer bushfires. Photo: Hilary McAllister

We Are Explorers have launched their Put the Planet First campaign, asking everyone to make action on climate their top priority when it comes time to vote. Over the course of the election campaign, WAE will be providing information on:

• Party policies surrounding climate and the environment
• A breakdown of how the voting system works
• Which independent candidates are supporting strong climate action
• How to get more involved in the election
• Effective ways to have conversations about voting for the planet

As WAE author Kate Scott states, "With the upcoming federal election, it can be hard to see past the election ads and campaign flyers and really get the gist of what each party will do for the climate and the environment". WAE have broken down each major political party's stance on climate change, to make it easier for you to put the planet first when you vote. You can get the break-down here.

Every single vote counts. And the stakes are high - for the now, and for the future. So put the planet first.

VOTE COMPASS 2022

You can use ABC's Vote Compass, an online tool developed by political scientists, to learn how your views compare to those of the election candidates.

Vote Compass

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That's it from us this week. Have another fabulous long weekend, enjoy exploring trails, travel safe and we'll catch you next week.

And, as always, thank you for taking the time to support wild places!

Elanor & the For Wild Places team.

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We acknowledge the the First Nations people who have been custodians of land, waters and culture for tens of thousands of years. We pay respects to First Nations Elders past, present and emerging.

This email was written on Gadigal lands of the Eora nation. To these people, we pay our respects.

Always was, always will be.