Earth Month is a time to appreciate our planet and acknowledge our impact—in all forms—on the environment. According to our environmental partner Earth Day Network, 1 billion people across the globe celebrate Earth Day. With that, April 22 is “the largest secular civic event in the world.”
The climate crisis is complicated, so it can be hard to know where to start. 1% for the Planet addresses four impact areas to simplify—but not exclude—the intersection of environmental awareness and justice.
Rights to nature
Policy and community engagement are at the core of Rights to nature. Ensuring vulnerable and underserved individuals receive land rights, water rights and nature access is key to establishing just societies. Through land management and heritage site protection, local communities are supported and strengthened.
With dedicated workshops, Unconquered and Solar Sister collaborated to create marketing campaigns through the Uncharted Series. Their relationship led to renewable energy initiatives and refining marketing techniques—all while uplifting rights to nature.
Just economies
Like all of our impact areas, the Just economies category is multifaceted. Responsible consumption through resilient agriculture promotes sustainable livelihoods. Decarbonization also plays a role, as just economies require core policy change or flexibility.
Slow Food USA and Davines are working together to create just economies in Italy and the United States. Davines is supporting Italian farmers and their local economy by incorporating ingredients from an Italian Slow Food community. Read the feature blog article to learn more about their partnership.
Conservation and restoration
The Conservation and restoration impact area centers around biodiversity protection. Marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems are preserved through responsible management practices. While including the role of wildlife conservation, this impact area exemplifies the symbiotic nature of the environment.
Moors for the Future and Coldhouse Collective work together to educate the local community on the importance of its carbon storage—conserving and restoring the Peak District National Park uplands. Learn more about their partnership by reading our recent blog piece.
Resilient communities
Environmental partners working in the Resilient communities area advocate for equality and education in communities that are disproportionately impacted by climate change. This impact area also includes advocacy for sustainable cities, environmental education, pollution awareness and adaptive disaster and risk programs.
Aegean Rebreath and APIVITA put meaning behind resilient communities. In 2022, the two organizations held a beach cleanup across five Greek islands: Kea, Mykonos, Alonnisos, Milos and Heraklion of Crete. Together, Aegean Rebreath and APIVITA collected 1.7 tons of ghost nets, 213 tires and mass amounts of general waste and plastic bottles. Watch APIVITA’s highlight video to learn more about their partnership.