In 1969, Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin acknowledged the rising anti-Vietnam War sentiment and wondered if he could encourage the same passion for saving the environment. 

With the help of environmental activist Denis Hayes, Nelson promoted public demonstrations across the United States on a day that would be named “Earth Day”. 

On April 22, 1970, over 20 million people took to the streets to protest issues plaguing America, such as pollution, wildlife extinction, and oil spills.

According to EarthDay.org, 10% of the total population of America gathered on that day in 1970, which would become recognized as the first Earth Day. 

The movement led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which strives to safeguard the health of humans and the environment. 

52 years after the first Earth Day, every human continues to share a common responsibility of ensuring the protection and preservation of our only home: Mother Earth. 

Earth Day 2022

Every Earth Day has a different theme, and this year’s theme is “Invest In Our Planet”.

President of EarthDay.org, Kathleen Rogers, said, “Governments can pass regulations, they can promote [a] green economy. 

We need to invest in innovators and innovation, but we need to do it the right way.

[For] individuals it’s about investing your personal time, your political vote, investing in your community, investing your money into going green.” 

Environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and air pollution are among the factors that play a role in the deterioration of the earth. 

We as a society have the power to resolve these issues and mitigate the consequences, but it will require individual action from everyone. 

Any steps towards ensuring a healthy future are positive, and the best place to start is in our own communities. 

At Loretto Academy, Climate Crew sold Earth Day candy grams for $5 and donated the money to Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a charity that fights climate change. 

Many local business owners in El Paso, Texas, work to incorporate sustainability into the production and distribution of their products. 

Here are a few locally owned businesses that are successful in keeping their customers and the planet happy and healthy:

WillowLeafCo.

About one and a half years ago, Cinthya Magallanes founded WillowLeafCo.

WillowLeafCo. sells products such as candles, linen sprays, body scrubs, soaps, body lotions, and diffusers. 

According to Magallanes, her company uses recycled paper and low-impact dyes for all product labels. 

Each product is made from natural ingredients, and all packaging is 100% recyclable.

Magallanes said, “We strive to keep our products simple, using only clean, ethically sourced, and sustainably harvested ingredients. 

Our collections are vegan, cruelty-free, phthalate-free, paraben-free, and free of formaldehyde.” 

Additionally, when customers return their used candle jars, they will get $1.00 off their next purchase at WillowLeafCo. 

WillowLeafCo.’s products are sure to bring peace to you and the environment.

Instagram: @willowwleafco

Facebook: Willowleafco Bath & Body

Email: [email protected]

Website: willowleafco.com

FeatheredbyAee

In March 2021, Amairani created FeatheredbyAee, a woman and Latina-owned local business. 

FeatheredbyAee offers products such as handmade scrunchies, wall decor, keychains, and car fresheners.

Amairani said, “I create reusable car fresheners out of 90% recycled cotton cord.

I also make crocheted forever flowers, meaning there would be no need to buy or cut any flowers, leaving them for nature (bees).”

Amairani additionally makes custom orders for shoppers who are interested in specific designs or colors. 

You can shop FeatheredbyAee’s crafted-with-love products at local farmer’s markets or on Etsy. 

Instagram: @featheredbyaee

Etsy: Featheredbyaee

Ecovedic Co.

In February 2021,  Paulina Rascón and her sister, Alexa Guerrero, started Desert Moon Delicacies, and Ayurvedic Cafe.

Rascón said, “We started Desert Moon Delicacies from encouragement from our families and because we saw a real need for healthier and more diverse options to be available.”

After her sister moved away, Rascón founded Ecovedic Co. in July 2021 to pursue her dream of owning an eco shop where holistic living is made easier through products and services.

Rascón said, “Aside from being vegan, the ingredients of my products are natural (organic and non-GMO), fair trade, and from socially responsible companies as well.”

All of Ecovedic Co.’s products are free of stickers or plastic marketing.

Additionally, Rascón offers the option for customers to recycle glass jars with her.

In her preparation process, Rascón uses silicone baking mats and other reusable materials. 

With Ecovedic Co., you can enjoy delicious desserts and teas without harming the environment. 

Instagram: @ecovedicco

Facebook: Ecovedic Co.

Email: [email protected]

Desert Spoon Food Hub

In 2015, Adriana Clowe, Patsy Stallworth, and Vanessa Brady founded Desert Spoon Food Hub, a non-profit organization dedicated to building a local and more inclusive food system. 

The organization currently supports over 25 local small to mid-sized family farms.

Every week, Desert Spoon Food Hub creates a new Community Farm Box with delicious produce and additional add-on items such as locally-roasted coffee and local honey. 

They additionally offer Taster Space, a food exploration box created for children in grades three through five. 

Later this year, Desert Spoon Food Hub will open El Paso’s first nonprofit grocery store in the Rio Grande district. 

Brady, a 1996 graduate of Loretto Academy, said, “We’re really looking forward to providing a physical location where people from all sides of El Paso can come and enjoy all that our local farmers have to offer.”

By supporting local farmers and utilizing compostable or recyclable packaging, this organization strives to promote sustainable production. 

Brady said, “With children of our own, it’s important that we are respectful stewards of this beautiful planet so that they also can enjoy it for many years to come.”

You can always feel comforted knowing that supporting Desert Spoon Food Hub will be a tasty and environmentally conscious decision. 

Instagram: desertspoonfoodhub

Facebook: Desert Spoon Food Hub

Email: i[email protected]

Phone:  (915) 209-7631

Website: desertspoonfoodhub.org

Que Trendy

Founded in 2018, Que Trendy is a boutique concept thrift store with a wide variety of new and used clothing.

Que Trendy is part of Mid-West Textile Co., one of the largest textile recycling companies in the United States. 

Mid-West Textile Co. goes through 900,000 pounds of clothes every week and repurposes them through thrift stores such as Que Thrifty. 

Because Mid-West Textile Co. has criteria for the clothes they repurpose such as newness, defects, and vibrancy, shoppers can still ensure that they are purchasing high-quality clothing.

Marketing Specialist for Que Thrifty, Jocelyn Espinoza, said, “By giving a second opportunity to clothes, we extend the life of the textiles and slow the production of a surplus of clothing, along with the use of natural resources.”

There’s nothing better than shopping while reducing your carbon footprint!

With so many options to choose from, you are guaranteed to find stylish and affordable pieces at Que Thrifty.

Instagram: @quetrendyep

Facebook: Que Trendy 

Twitter: @QueTrendyEP

Pinterest: @quetrendyep

Phone: (915) 975-8511

Website: que-trendy.com

Earth Day every day

With numerous resources to promote sustainability, the goal of ensuring a healthy planet becomes increasingly attainable.

Additionally, making environmentally conscious decisions every day of the year will have longer-lasting implications on the planet, further protecting our livelihoods. 

We still have a long way to go in saving Earth, but if we actively work together, we can focus on investing in a prosperous planet and future.

Information courtesy of EarthDay.org, Space.com, and Vogue.