Rarely do we take the chance to stop and appreciate the world around us – the trees and flowers that brighten the seasons with their colors and warmth. Once a year, however, comes a day dedicated to protecting and appreciating Mother Nature and the planet we rely on: Earth.
First held in 1970, the celebration has expanded to over 150 countries, as millions of people come together to celebrate and raise awareness about environmental issues while taking actions to better protect the planet.
To celebrate Earth Day, Murray State’s Earth and Environmental Sciences Club put together a lineup of Earth-appreciating activities, offering educational opportunities on environmental preservation to planting trees at Woods Park.
Beyond the fun events planned, Jenna Opp, president of the EES Club, said she wants to share her enthusiasm about the planet with her fellow students.
“I think Earth Day is significant in many ways,” Opp said. “Raising awareness of environmental issues like climate change… it provides an opportunity for environmental education, (to) promote actions to help our environment.”
The club’s dedication to the environment is not reserved for Earth Day, as the organization has hosted numerous trash clean-up events and clothing drives. During the last solar eclipse in 2024, the group hosted a watch party, offering participants free solar viewers.
For Opp, everything ties back to caring and protecting our planet.
“Earth Day, to me, is a calling,” Opp said. “We have to be good stewards. The consequences of our own actions can be detrimental, by caring more about this day, and the Earth overall, I think it (all) contributes to the health of all life and (the) future of that life.”
‘Earth day is every day,’ at least that is a phrase the EES department is all about. Emily Johnson, EES professor, said the department and club embody the phrase and perspective.
“My students have had the opportunity to think through how to educate the university students on sustainable practices, like eliminating plastics in favor of eco-friendly alternatives,” Johnson said. “They have done such an amazing job of conveying the importance of conservation and sustainability, offering solutions that will truly help the planet.”
