What You Can Do on Earth Day and Beyond to Protect the Planet

Earth Day is tomorrow. Since we have no Planet B, we should consider how we can protect our planet every day. EarthDay.org's official 2026 theme remains "Our Power, Our Planet." Visit this site for free toolkits, actions, and resources to make an impact for Earth Day and beyond.

As stated on their website, "In 2026, Our Power. Our Planet. refers to the role of people and communities worldwide in sustaining environmental protections that affect the cost of living, public health, infrastructure reliability, and long-term stability. Environmental conditions influence food systems, water availability, energy access, disaster risk, and economic resilience across all regions."

How can you take action?

This week and beyond, you can get involved by participating in peaceful demonstrations and marches. Find a planned event in your area by visiting the map on the EarthDay.org website. If you don't see an event already planned in your area, consider starting one. 

Educate yourself about the issues, vote for candidates who share your values, and participate in civic conversations. If you're not already registered to vote, you may be able to do so here. The LCV’s annual National Environmental Scorecard tracks the voting records of members of Congress on environmental, climate change, and democracy legislation and scores them on whether their votes protect people and the planet. See how your representatives scored here. 

Look for grassroots organizations in your area that support the implementation and enforcement of environmental laws and standards. EARTHDAY.ORG partners with organizations across regions to support protections for air quality, water safety, ecosystems, and public health. You can find those partners here. 

Participate in a community cleanup to reduce pollution, protect ecosystems, and improve local conditions. The Great Global Cleanup supports cleanup efforts worldwide.

Make a donation to The Canopy Tree Project, which supports reforestation efforts worldwide. Forests, oceans, and wetlands support livelihoods, regulate the climate, and preserve biodiversity. Protecting these systems also safeguards genetic resources relevant to medicine, agriculture, and science. 

Most importantly, don't give up hope. Despite all the bad news, there are good things happening around the world. You can check out some news stories here.