Reach Out at School
Work with the Student Council
Get your school’s student body council involved in your cause and ask for their help in securing a meeting with school administrators. They can also help you start a school-wide petition and work with the school’s Parent and Teacher Association to plan a parent education night with panel speakers.
Meet with School Administrators
You can ban the sale of plastic beverages at your school by scheduling a meeting with your school district’s Board of Education or school principal. Give a presentation on why the school should stop selling disposable plastic bottles.
Plan an Awareness Day
You can also plan a Pledge Against Plastic awareness day in conjunction with Earth Day on April 22, 2021. Give a school assembly presentation and set up an information table at lunch time or at school events. Consider writing an article for the school newspaper and posting facts on social media.
Environmental Awareness Days
Earth Day
April 22, 2021
Earth Day was first celebrated on April 22, 1970. Previously, Americans were unaware of how air pollution would affect their health. In 1962, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring was published, raising awareness about the adverse effects of pollution on our environment and health. The resulting environmental movement led to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the passing of several environmental acts such as the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act.
World Environment Day
June 5, 2021
In 1972, the United Nations designated June 5th as World Environmental Day (WED). The first WED was celebrated in 1974 with the slogan “Only One Earth”. Since then, WED has developed into a global platform for raising awareness on environmental issues including global warming, marine pollution, and sustainable consumption. Every year, the celebration is hosted by a different country; 2020 was hosted by Colombia in partnership with Germany.
World Oceans Day
June 8, 2021
World Ocean Day was first proposed by Canada at the Earth Summit in 1992 to strengthen the voice of the ocean sector and push for more government discussion and policy. In December 2008, the UN officially recognized June 8 as World Oceans Day. In 2016, the Youth Advisory Council was established to unite youth to take action. World Oceans Day has grown to be a global network of 140 leaders, providing resources to help restore and protect our Earth’s oceans.