By Service and Engagement Staff
Today we celebrate Earth Day. Earth Day was started in 1970 and is held annually to demonstrate support for protection of the environment.
Rotarians and Rotaractors understand that the whole world is their backyard and this year’s Earth Day is especially meaningful. Starting in a few months on 1 July, 2021, the environment will officially be Rotary’s newest area of focus, which guide us in our service work and are categories of service activities supported by global grants. It joins peacebuilding and conflict prevention; disease prevention and treatment; water, sanitation, and hygiene; maternal and child health; basic education and literacy; and community economic development.
To start, you can learn all about why Rotary has decided to address this important issue facing the world today:
- Why PRIP Barry Rassin says the environment is our ultimate mission
- What Rotarians are doing right now to support the environment
An example of how one Rotarian is supporting the environment and making social change is Binish Desai of the Rotary Club of Vibrant Valsad, India. He has founded an eco-technology group to address industrial and domestic waste. His technologies convert waste into items that people can use in their everyday lives. One of these items is a brick made from paper waste that has helped build thousands of low-cost houses and toilets in the slums of rural India. You can watch this video to learn more about his work:
You can get involved by:
- Joining the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group or the Rotary Action Group for Endangered Species.
- Asking for help from consultants at Ashoka, a Rotary service partner, if your club or district is considering an project for the environment.
- Joining the Environment Fellowship of Rotarians or Rotary Fellowship of Wildlifers for Conservation.
- Supporting more global grants by giving to The Rotary Foundation’s Environment Area of Focus Fund.
- Applying for a grant from The Rotary Foundation, after 1 July, to support your club or district’s sustainable projects to protect the environment.
Service in Action 
Rotary’s commitment to Earth Day is amazing and speaks to the power of how an organisation with single-mindedness can help to make a difference.