Earth Week 2020: Family Action Day Two
In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, Families for a Livable Climate is offering a week of daily activities and actions for parents and kids to do together. Each day focuses on a theme critical to our time and place in the climate movement, with tie-ins to global and local actions & events.
Click here for more information, and to sign up!
Day Two: Tuesday
Theme: Covid-19, equity and the environment
Why it’s important:
Right now, our planet is in the midst of an unprecedented global pandemic, which has spotlighted the ways our systems are broken and serving the interests of corporations over small businesses and individuals, and profit over the environment. But the Great Shutdown also provides glimmers of hope, as a possible catalyst for the systemic changes needed to address the root causes of social inequity and the climate crisis.
We can’t just hope for change, we must demand it. Bailouts & stimulus packages could prioritize frontline workers, support industries that are contributing to a more just, healthy & sustainable future, and pave the way to a Green New Deal, rather than lining the pockets of harmful corporations and their executives. And as systems recover and rebuild, they can be transformed for the better. We have a window of opportunity to act now rather than letting things go back to the status quo.
This is a difficult time for most parents, as we navigate the realities of kids being home 24/7, homeschooling, and supporting our children (and ourselves) through big emotions of concern, isolation, and grief. But we are deeply inspired by how families are finding new ways to connect, care for one another, and cultivate joy, gratitude, and resilience.
Organizations in focus:
Today’s Actions:
Urge your members of Congress to support the principles of a ‘People’s Bailout’
Add your name to this letter calling on Congress to act for a ‘Green Stimulus’
Sign this petition against EPA rollbacks on Clean Car Standards
Activities: (Choose one or two)
For the family:
Build a Covid-19 time capsule as a way for your family to process this moment in their lives, reflect on the hardships and moments of joy, and to keep a record of this historic time to look back on in a few years!
Engage with your neighbors (at a distance) by making an Earth Day poster to hang in your window. Encourage your neighbors to do the same so that you can look for them during neighborhood walks. Print and color one of these, or make your own unique design.
For younger kids:
A Mindfulness Practice for Kids helps kids find peace and grounding during difficult times.
Paint some kindness rocks to decorate your neighborhood.
For older kids:
Start a journal about your life during quarantine. How do you feel? What are your hopes for the future? Create art to tell your story. Imagine someone in the future finding your journal - what would you tell them about your life right now? Alternatively, consider starting a nature journal, or incorporate all of the above into one multi-faceted journal.
Take a Yoga Class to light the fire in your core!
Related resources:
How to Beat Coronavirus Capitalism webinar with Naomi Klein & others
The Green New Real - An interesting new source for news, data & discourse at the intersection of coronavirus and climate change
The Parents’ Guide to Safe Climates (During Corona): 100 Ways to Engage & Empower Kids K-12, Fight for their Future - and Not Lose Your Mind - by Mary Democker
Books about Finding Peace in Nature: Kid’s Reading List from Multnomah Library
Resources for Supporting Childrens’ Emotional Well-being During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Good luck with day two!
Don’t forget to share your progress with us on instagram & facebook.
Thanks, and see you tomorrow!