Earth Day In September…well, Yes, Every Day

I have been saying this for at least 10 years now that every day is Earth Day. Finally, someone else figured it out too. On Sunday, Sept. 21, while many Pagans were gathering for Mabon rituals, we were also celebrating Sun Day.

The two day event—Saturday, Sept. 20 and Sunday Sept. 21, was held basically to show people better ways to take care of Mother Earth. On day one, there was a Clean Energy Fair with speakers, information tables and exhibits. Those who partook went on a house tour of homes that have solar panels and other sustainable energy solutions. On Sunday morning, many congregations held worship services in line with the two day event. The event ended with a Renew Your Energy Dance Party.

Many members of the UU Congregation at Montclair, NJ’s R.R.R. Climate Workgroup joined in on the event planning. Our initials stand for Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, but we are striving to limit recycling.

On Saturday, Oct. 18, UU Faith Action New Jersey is holding their Fall Issues Conference: Meet the Moment. I’m attending this and will be joining in on their breakout session on Environmental Justice.

Our current administration has put us backwards in our efforts to take care of Mother Earth; reversing Environmental Justice laws, and opening doors for polluters.

Just this year, 2025, our president reversed many environmental laws that were already set in place. For starters, America pulled out of the Paris Agreement, which sets goals for reducing greenhouse emissions. Additionally, regulations on fossil fuels have been gutted and American producers are instructed to provide more. If that isn’t bad enough, they revoked a 1994 executive order. This dead order made environmental justice part of America’s mission and canceled all related programs. Even car emission standards have changed for the worse. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

Reasons like these are why I joined our congregation’s R.R.R Climate Workgroup. As a Pagan and especially as a leader in Sacred Wheel CUUPs, I have to do my part. The direction we are going is so very wrong. I will keep fighting this, no matter what. I intend to get all the members in my CUUPs group actively involved with the R.R.R. group.

One thing I learned is it is better for the environment to use glass and reuse it than use plastic. Even if it is not single use, plastic ends up in our bodies. Microplastics are easily broken down, digested and end up in our blood stream and organs. It’s estimated that Americans already carry a credit card’s worth of microplastics in their bodies.

Oh, and the paper straws we receive at restaurants are better than the plastic ones which are not recyclable. Which reminds me, when you order takeout, remind them that you don’t need nor want their plastic utensils. These, too, are not recyclable. They just end up in the incinerator like the one near me in Newark, New Jersey or a landfill. Don’t even get me going on the harmful effects of the incinerators. Just one point on this, a study showed how children diagnosed with asthma increased significantly near the one in Newark, New Jersey.

This planet isn’t ours, it isn’t our children’s, it’s all for the future generations. We need to do our part so that it is here and healthy for many, many more years.

There are various things that we can do to make sure that this happens. For starters, let’s cut back on what we know is harmful. Then spread the word, tell your non-Pagan friends and family members. Do all you can to make sure that you are not adding to the problem.

Compost everything and anything possible. If you are near a place offering to take chicken and meat bones, do it. Even if it’s a small fee, see if you can buddy up with someone. All my vegetables and produce scraps go into my garden. The same with the coffee grinds and yes, tea bags. If you are unaware, most tea bags no longer have a staple holding the tag to the string.

If we do our part, chances are that it will catch on. Hopefully, the next administration not only goes back to the way things were, but makes even greater strides. We need to make up for this lost time. We must not live on hope and prayers though. Doing is the only way. If we do, others might follow. That is the only hope I can bank on.

So, start using less plastic, recycle glass, aluminum, steel, and tin. Reuse what you can, especially glass jars. Oh, and don’t toss something out in the trash because it broke, find someone to repair it. In Glen Ridge, the next town over from Montclair, offers a Repair Cafe every so often. They have people who are able to, volunteer to fix appliances, lamps and such for free. They do this and in return the community grows closer together. Another service offered there includes bike tune-ups. Might as well, so you have your bicycle in top shape and (if able to) ride it to work instead of drive.

So many ways that we can do our part and save the planet for future generations.

There is no reason to wait until April to celebrate Earth Day, take care of and spread the word. As always, let’s never forget that every day is Earth Day.

It’s Earth Day again; a time to reflect on our actions