Earth Day 2025

As I return to the writing sphere this Earth Day, I have a lot on my mind. It seems that the world is constantly lingering on the verge of environmental crisis; from climate change, to rising sea levels, to more and more species disappearing, to the carelessness of government administration… and yet, my passion and love for nature never wavers as my emotions balance on a tightrope between hope and fear.

In December, I was hit hard by writer’s block as we approached the presidential inauguration. I already knew that, even before he had taken office, Trump would work to harm our planet further by drilling and logging and doing whatever he could under the capitalist agenda to fasten the environment’s decline. And then, when the headlines hit, it became reality. And my heart broke.

How could people not care? How could anyone be okay with cutting down swaths of national forest and irreparably damaging our planet? In preparation for the 2025 Climate Summit, a four-lane highway has been carved through miles of Amazon rainforest. Yes, you read that right— for the Climate Summit, an event meant to share and collaborate against the rise of climate change, a section of the Earth’s lungs has been torn down. This isn’t just our home as humans. Millions of species of insects, plants, fish, mammals and birds call this place home, too. Some of them were here before us— and if we continue at the rate we’re going now, some of them may be here after us, too.

Tahquamenon Falls, MI

The cold winter months didn’t help my mood. I’ve realized that a decent amount of my happiness comes from the outdoors— from watching and listening to the birds, walking through forest trails, feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin and the breeze through my hair. Michigan winters tend to be rather fickle, never deciding if it wants to be bitter cold or tease us with hints of spring weather. And, personally, I’m not a fan of the cold or the snow. The only animals I get to watch are the birds that occasionally stop at the feeder on my balcony or the deer passing through the woods in the backyard.

Nonetheless, I’ve tried to keep myself motivated. I understand that time is running out to stop the decay of our planet. I understand that more and more species are disappearing from human activity, and forests are being chopped down to create more space for roadways and factories. I know that, by myself, there isn’t much I can do alone. And yet, I remain steadfast in my interests and my conservation efforts. I’ve started volunteering at local nature centers and taking online classes about native bee populations. I’ve read up on what plants can be foraged for food and where. I’ve taught myself how to identify different species and how to spot invasive plants. If I can influence even one other person to care enough to do the same, then I figure that’s enough. That’s progress.

About a year after graduating with my bachelor’s in English, I realized I had maybe gone into the wrong field. I’ve always loved reading and writing, but I think my heart really lies with conservation and wildlife. I don’t have a solid plan yet, but I think I want to return to school. I want to go where my heart is leading me, and if that means another 4 years of classes and student loans, then so be it. I want to not only be happy with my career, but I want it to feel like it matters. And, really, what matters more than trying to save our planet? After all, it’s the only one we have. Don’t even start with me about this idea of colonizing Mars or the moon!

With that said, I’ve started working on a series of my own personal projects. While the content of those will be kept secret for now, I fully intend on posting them here as well as submitting them elsewhere for peer review. What else would be a better way to show my love and appreciation for the subjects I care about than to conduct my own studies?

So, while the world appears to be all but crumbling around us, I urge you all to keep your heads up. Look for the light in the darkness and find something to inspire you forward— to search for new beginnings and try to make a change. This year, celebrate Earth Day by simply doing what you can for the place we all call home. We can’t do this alone.