Today is Earth Day – a day to highlight the importance of protecting the environment and to take actions to protect the environment for future generations.  The theme for this year’s Earth Day is Planet vs. Plastic.  The goal of the Earth Day 2024 organization is to reduce plastic dependency. This week governments and NGOs from around the world are gathering in Ottawa to continue negotiating the terms of the United Nations Global Plastic Treaty.  It’s time for a treaty that ends plastic pollution and protects our health.  See actions below.

The McSisters celebrated Earth Day at a Climate Fest in Healdsburg a small town north of San Francisco.  We fit right into the 2024 theme with our McSisters Tackle Plastic booth.  We shared with hundreds of visitors the many alternatives to single-use plastic.  Our booth had a robust assortment of options containing no plastic at all - food storage containers, cleaning products, toiletry items, cups, pens, bags, and more.   One of the favorites was a glass and silicone cover to use in the microwave!!  And we demonstrated the impacts of single-use plastic with our “fish tanks” containing a pound of plastic and a pound of fish.  Did you know that if we keep on our current trajectory by 2050 there will be more plastic by weight in the ocean than fish?

Several dozen organizations used this opportunity to spread awareness about important environmental issues facing us.  The Foundation for Climate Restoration, the Citizens Climate Lobby, and more.  Many local students of all ages participated.  One school group demonstrated the problem of single use plastic bags with a giant balloon made of plastic bags.  Many brave people went inside the bag to experience what it would be like for those animals caught in plastic bags.  The students urged everyone to sign a petition to ban plastic bags in county. 

What a special day – educating and inspiring so many people to make a difference in their lives. 

What can you do?

• Visit https://www.earthday.org and sign the petitions:

• Sign the global plastics treaty petition

• Read their story about Babies vs. Plastics – that should get you in action.

• Help earthday.org reach their goal of 60% plastic reduction by 2040 by reducing your own plastic waste. McSisters can help you with lots of options.  https://www.earthday.org

Take a moment to think of your loved ones, especially the young ones, and commit to making a difference for them.