Today, 22 April, is Earth Day, an annual event celebrated around the world to demonstrate support for environmental protection. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day. Aon supports Earth Day, and while this year we won’t be holding any events in our offices, we would encourage you to think about the small steps you can take to help protect our planet.
Earth Day was started 50 years ago, as a unified response to an environment in crisis — oil spills, smog, rivers so polluted they literally caught fire. On Earth Day in 2020, the world faces two global crises: one is the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. The other is a slowly building disaster for our climate.
While the world was not prepared for the newest coronavirus, we still have time to prepare for the climate crisis. That is why the theme for Earth Day 2020 is climate action. Climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable.
The world needs you and your actions for Earth Day 2020.
There are many ways you can help protect and restore our planet, including:
- Adding your voice to this global demand for action on social media
- Taking some small personal steps:
- Try going more plant based in your diet
- If possible, try to transfer to green power or a more environmentally friendly energy provider
- Freecycle – consider giving pre-loved things a second home
- Plant a wild flower garden in your garden / window boxes
- Share the work of Earth Day with your family, friends and community through digital conversations.
As a company, Aon has reduced its own greenhouse gas emissions by 60% between 2015 and 2020 through optimisation of its portfolio and the implementation of energy savings initiatives such as LED lighting upgrades across its offices. We’re also building partnerships with innovative start-ups and academic institutions to model climate change impacts for clients, helping them make better decisions to reduce risk and volatility.
Author: John Remigus, Energy and Sustainability Lead EMEA
On this occasion, we recommend you watch this unique video: NASA Looks Back at 50 Years of Earth Day.
As we cannot organize any events with Aon colleagues this year, let’s look back on how we planted trees and cleaned the Vistula river on Aon United Day for Communities last year:
