The modern environmentalist movement originated in 1970 with the establishment of Earth Day, marking this year as the 50th celebration. The call of 20 million Americans seeking increased planetary protections has grown to one billion mobilized individuals worldwide.

Here are 10 ways you can celebrate Earth Day during the COVID-19 pandemic:

Attend online events

There are several organizations planning on uniting the world’s inhabitants through broadcasting webinar sessions and creating digital celebrations. The Earth Day Organization offers the chance to participate in just that, along with learning about the history of Earth Day and publicizing their own list of ways to speak up and take action.

Binge watch nature movies and TV shows

Quarantine does not have to stop you from experiencing the exotic wonders of the natural world. Scroll through your channels and streaming services in search of the habitats and history beyond. Check out this list of 11 Incredible Nature Documentary Series and Movies to Stream Right Now by Rotten Tomatoes.

Get out and clean up

As long as you maintain a safe distance from others, do not be afraid to don some gloves and clean up any garbage lying around your neighborhood or a local park. Mother Nature will thank you for it.

Create social media challenges

Now that you are working to do your part to help the planet, challenge your friends to do the same! Tag people to find one fact or statistic about Earth Day and our environment and post about it on their social media to help spread the word. Bring back the “Trashtag Challenge,” where people take a “before” photo of littered areas in their community, and then they take an “after” photo once they finish cleaning up the area. There are also plenty of ways to minimize the negative products of daily life, like the amount of future garbage we encounter. Try doing some research on sustainable, “zero waste” living.

Run for Earth

Turn miles into miracles. The Earth Day Online Race encourages runners to register and track their miles to “help spread awareness of the climate crisis and move towards a zero-carbon future.” The challenge will last from April 22 to June 17, and the registration fees go towards Mercy Relief.

Go on a nature hike

Take a day to explore. Visit a local nature trail or take a walk through the park. Go out to the lake and enjoy the scenery. Collect interesting elements of your journey along the way. Come up with a way to log your findings.

Make Earth Day-inspired crafts

Building bird houses or bird feeders, making nature collages, drawing up educational posters and building a mini terrarium are just a few ways to show your appreciation for the planet by putting your artistic skills to use. Or, take the time to capture your environment in drawings, paintings or photography.

Have a picnic

If the weather is nice, round up a blanket, a basket and your favorite foods to take to the grass for a sunny afternoon picnic.

Enjoy emission-free transportation

Ride a bike. Go on a walk and take your pet. Break out those roller skates you have been meaning to try. Go for a run. Dig your old scooter out of your shed. Go skateboarding. Ditch the gasoline. The only fuel you need to burn is your pent-up quarantine energy.

Plant a tree/Start a garden

Do not be afraid to get your hands dirty. Trees improve air quality by producing oxygen, they preserve the soil, support wildlife and much more. Give back to the environment by making a little more room for nature’s beauty, even if it is just in your own backyard.

21cleiker@usd489.com