Earth Day 2022
The 22nd of April is Earth Day, a day of action to change human behaviour as well as to make changes to global, national and local policy. Every year since the first Earth Day in 1970, it has aimed to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide.
More than a billion people take part in Earth Day across the world!
EarthDay.Org are involved in a number of large environmental projects, including increasing climate and environmental literacy and The Canopy Project (reforestation). The theme for Earth Day 2022 is Invest In Our Planet. There is a call for governments, businesses and citizens to take action to make a green future possible in what Earth Day are calling a ‘partnership for the planet’.
The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report AR6 was released recently, which includes research from the world-leading climate scientists. There is a noticeable change in language when talking about human influence on global temperatures in the AR6 report in comparison to the previous AR5 report from 2013.
“It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land. Widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and biosphere have occurred.”
It is especially important now that everyone does their part to help tackle the climate emergency and mitigate the changes occurring in our atmosphere, oceans, cryosphere (icy environments) and biosphere (anywhere occupied by living organisms) and Rowe IT are stepping up in a variety of ways.
Rowe IT are committed to Carbon Net Zero by 2050 and to halving our carbon footprint by 2030. This is an important one as it offers the chance to reduce the amount of carbon being emitted directly as a result of Rowe IT’s activities. During 2021, we measured our total CO2 equivalent (the universal metric for emissions) to create a baseline from which we will aim to reduce and off-set these emissions each year. This will be done through our Carbon Reduction Plan and encouraging cultural change at the company.
Other ways in which Rowe IT are helping to tackle the climate crisis include:
- A cycle to work scheme
- A work from home initiative – reduces commuting = less carbon emitted!
- 2 electric company vehicles
- Zero-to-landfill waste management
- A paperless office
- Recycling IT hardware by donating to local schools and charities
- Utilising cloud-based servers for Rowe IT and its customers wherever possible – this has other benefits in addition to being more environmentally friendly!
There are a number of ways to get involved with Earth Day 2022: promoting EarthDay.Org’s work, attending one of their events being held around the globe or perhaps looking through their 52 ways to invest in our planet to see what difference you can make. The science says we need to act now so even if it’s something small like going paperless or trying to use less plastic, it all makes a difference.
There is an Earth Day event happening locally to Rowe IT – Plymouth University are holding an event on Earth Day where you can hear from local LGBT + scientists on how their work is addressing the environmental issues faced by the world today. It is a public event being held from 6-7:30pm at the Sustainability Hub, Portland Lane North, Plymouth.
No matter how you choose to get involved with Earth Day 2022, choose to be part of making a difference for the future.
#InvestInOurPlanet
