10 Ways to Help the World on Earth Day

In Danko district, Nigeria, a rice farmer tends to her fields. Image credit: Jennifer Hardy/CRS. All rights reserved.[/caption] This Earth Day, be part of a movement. On April 22, 2019, more than 1 billion people in 192 countries are expected to join together to protect our common home. People will clean up their communities, talk to local leaders about their environmental concerns and spend time with their families outdoors. At Catholic Relief Services, every day is Earth Day. CRS works through local partner agencies to implement agricultural and environmental programs for the poorest farm families and rural communities worldwide. CRS’ immediate goal is to improve family well-being through agro-economic development and environmental stewardship. The agency's long-term goal is to strengthen the capacity of local agencies and farm communities to take control of their own development. This Earth Day, join us as we celebrate our environment and the people who make it a better place. Here are 10 ways you can help.

Learn more about climate change.

In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis reminds us that we have a responsibility to care for the Earth—our common home. Our work spans the globe: from responding to drought in the Dry Corridor of Guatemala, to helping coastal communities deal with rising sea waters in Bangladesh.

Advocate for our Earth and its people.

Ask Congress to protect people most harmed by climate change. You can be an advocate for those who often are not heard, by asking your senators and representative to address hunger concerns and support funding for poverty-focused international assistance, particularly the Green Climate Fund.

Plant a tree in your community.

God calls us to be stewards of the Earth. What you do in your community can have a big impact on the world. Trees clean the air and provide oxygen. They help us prevent soil erosion and can conserve energy. They are also beautiful.

Support farmers and their families.

CRS doesn’t just help feed the world during emergencies. Our farming projects help hundreds of thousands of people feed their families, work toward self-sufficiency and steward the Earth’s resources for future generations. By giving a bag of fertilizer, for instance, you are helping farmers nourish soil, reap better harvests and earn more income.

Pray.

Pope Francis advocates greater stewardship of global resources as one way to help our most vulnerable sisters and brothers. Please join us in prayer for those who suffer the most from environmental disasters. This video explains Catholic social teaching on caring for God’s creation.

Attend a farmers’ market.

See the colors of a bountiful harvest at your local farmers’ market. These stands offer locally grown produce that’s nearly as fresh as picking it yourself. By supporting local farmers’ markets, you are also supporting your neighbors. Find a farmers’ market near you.

Support ethical trade.

This Earth Day you may want to get some dirt between your fingers and plant. One of CRS Ethical Trade’s partners is Serrv, which has a collection of home and garden gifts. When you support ethical trade, you are supporting artisans around the world with fair wages and better access to markets. Plus, who can pass up these adorable pond critter planters?

Be the change.

Join CRS University and the I Am Climate Change campaign in making a difference this Earth Day.

Fundraise.

You can provide direct assistance by setting up a page to raise money to support our emergency efforts. Your support will ensure that we can provide immediate assistance, including food, water, access to sanitation, legal services and medical care. Set up your own fundraising page.

Connect on social media and share.

Follow and retweet @CatholicRelief and @CRSNews. You can also follow #EarthDay2019 for climate change-related stories. Share this post using the buttons below.

CRS piloted a cardamom project with more than 200 farmers in Gorkha district who had shady, steep land that was not well-suited to other crops. Image credit: Jennifer Hardy/CRS. All rights reserved.[/caption]