Earth Day 2026: Climate, Conflict and Care

Billions of people across the globe gather with their local communities every year on April 22nd to honour and celebrate our world. With Earth Day right around the corner, we at COCo want to share a few reflections about the global movement. We hope that this post serves as a kind reminder of our connection to and responsibility for the Earth.

Table of Contents

In the beginning… (the origins of Earth Day)

We would first like to acknowledge the Indigenous nations who are the original stewards of the Lands and waters we currently reside on and benefit from. Their practices, cultures, and relationships to the Earth are deeply rooted in reciprocity and care for “all relations”, human and non-human. We recognize that the need for Earth Day comes from the dispossession and exploitation of their Land – through the genocide and displacement of Indigenous populations and the exploitation of natural resources for capital gain.

The environmental movement we know and partake in today initially began in the United States when author Rachel Carson published Silent Spring in 1962. In her book, Carson denounced the use of mass chemical pesticides and insecticides due to their poor impact on the environment. She was the catalyst in shifting perspectives about the environment as she emphasized how the development and stability of humanity lies in the balance in our relationship with Nature, and, as such, should not be manipulated for our convenience. Inspired by Carson’s work, US Senator Gaylord Nelson became increasingly concerned with the declining environmental conditions in the United States.

Before 1970, there were no laws in the US that prevented industries from dumping toxic wastes into clear water sources or from spreading toxic smokes into our shared air. It was a massive oil spill in 1969, in Santa Barbara, California, that prompted Senator Nelson to finally take action. At the time, there was a lot of mobilization of student activists involved in the anti-war movement, which served as an inspiration to begin another kind of mobilization. In an effort to spread awareness about air and water pollution, Senator Nelson initiated campus teach-ins with the support of student activists, including Denis Hayes (also known as “Mr. Earth Day”), who were heavily involved in organizing youth-led and anti-war demonstrations. These parallel movements were not two separate issues, but rather interrelated issues, as the effects of war, beyond the loss of life, also brings about terrible pollution and awful effects upon the environment.

Ultimately, it was on April 22nd, 1970, that the first Earth Day protest took place. The monumental event impelled the creation of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the passage of numerous environmental laws. Unfortunately, several EPA protections have also been rolled back since. The campaign leading up to the first Earth Day inspired many communities around the world, including cities in Canada, to join the movement and organize rallies locally. In fact, the teach-ins and the first Earth Day were also organized by Arthur J. Hanson, a Canadian environmental leader and Officer of the Order of Canada. Moreover, since 1995, Quebec has supported Earth Day initiatives by organizing activities that raise awareness about environmental issues, not only on the day of the event but all year round. Quebec officially collaborated with the Canadian association in 2019 to form Jour de la Terre Canada / Earth Day Canada to create a larger national impact.

Conflicts of Interest: Repercussions on the Environment

It is quite significant that Senator Nelson sought the support of anti-war student protesters, as armed conflicts have a big impact on the world we live in. Before any target is hit, military forces already consume a great quantity of resources during their training. In fact, the combination of CO2 emissions of all the countries in the world is less than the emissions of the largest militaries. Militaries are responsible for approximately 5.5% of the total greenhouse gas emissions of the world.

Now, imagine their training in action… namely, the ongoing wars and genocides in Ukraine, Palestine, Sudan, Congo, Venezuela, Iran, Lebanon, and Syria. According to the United Nations, our world is currently experiencing record levels of conflict and violence. While the impact of conflict on people is undeniably critical, the environment also is also undergoing massive consequences that often get overlooked. The results of conflict bring atrocity to our delicate ecosystem. The fertile lands and waters that commune in forests are prone to contamination when military forces invade them. Fuel is manipulated for explosive weapons throughout high intensity conflicts, increasing the levels of gas emissions and contributing to climate change. Great quantities of debris and rubble can be found in affected areas, causing pollution in the air and in the soils. To this day, innocent people lose their lives due to lingering landmines and unexploded ordnance… and the list of the repercussions can go on.

The balance of nature is at the mercy of warfare, on top of putting people’s safety, health and livelihoods at risk – not only because of pollution but also through forced human displacement. As a matter of fact, the creation of some refugee and displacement camps have a considerable environmental footprint, especially those located in areas that lack essential services, such as water, sanitation, and waste management, adding pressure on local communities and natural resources. Not only are homes destroyed and millions of people killed, ways of life are damaged nearly beyond repair.

In the midst of disheartening moments like these, a change of perspective may not solve it all. However, it can be a catalyst for change.

Beyond Borders: Care in Practice

There is undoubtedly a lot more work to be done in terms of taking care of ourselves and our planet. One way to get started is by taking action against climate change. Not only does your activism benefit the world, but it can also help prevent climate anxiety and depression!

We invite our readers to take a look at BuildOn’s 10 Impactful Ways to Serve Your Community On Earth Day. These recommendations are also a great opportunity to gather with your community to make a lasting change in the world we live in and care for the generations to come.

In the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), we also encourage our readers to consult the United Nations Environment Programme’s post on AI’s impact on the environment, as well as this report by Obvia and the First Nations of Quebec-Labrador on their position on digital and AI ethics. This is an invitation to reflect on our collective digital responsibility for the Earth.

Finally, here are a few environmental organizations, spaces and resources we recommend:

Organizations

Local Spaces