“Online Communities Making a Real Impact for Earth Day 2025”
Earth Day 2025 is approaching with the theme “Our power, our planet,” emphasizing the importance of taking action through education, advocacy, and community support. Climate experts have warned that urgent action is needed as countries are falling short of lowering emissions and are at risk of missing the targets set in the 2015 Paris climate agreement. Despite international efforts to address plastic pollution, no agreement was reached after two years of discussions, and more than one-third of tree species worldwide are facing extinction, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
In the midst of these challenges, Earth Day, which will be observed on Tuesday, April 22, continues to be a significant event. EARTHDAY.ORG, the organization behind Earth Day, is leading environmental projects globally. While global leaders are struggling to make significant changes, online networks are emerging with sustainable solutions. These networks have been growing organically for years, focusing on nature, wildlife, and community bonds.
One such online community is Stick Nation, founded by Boone Hogg and Logan Jugler, where nature lovers share and rank sticks they find. In honor of Earth Month, Stick Nation is mobilizing its millions of members to raise funds for nature-helping nonprofits like One Tree Planted, World Wildlife Fund, EARTHDAY.ORG, and the National Forest Foundation.
Another initiative making a difference is the Buy Nothing Project, started by Liesl Clark and Rebecca Rockefeller on Bainbridge Island in Washington state. The project began as a small Facebook community where neighbors could share items they no longer needed, leading to a global movement with millions of members worldwide. The project promotes a circular economy by encouraging people to give away and borrow items within their communities, fostering a sense of community and reducing waste.
DePhane Marcelle Weaver is sowing knowledge through her organization, Garden Exchange Stands Org, which operates a network of neighborhood plant stands where people can exchange plants, seeds, and gardening items. The organization also holds educational workshops on sustainable gardening practices, supporting local wildlife, and growing healthy food. Weaver emphasizes the importance of growing your own food as a way to eat locally and sustainably while building community bonds.
As Earth Day 2025 approaches, these online networks are demonstrating the power of grassroots initiatives in creating positive change for the planet. Their pragmatic approach to environmental issues serves as a reminder that collective action, no matter how small, can make a significant impact in protecting our planet for future generations.