There is always a lot said on Earth Day.
Big targets and big urgency.
And a feeling of pressure placed upon us.
But the reality is, it might be enough to notice something smaller.
Belfast City Council is trying to do its bit. The city has once again been recognised by the Carbon Disclosure Project with an A grade for climate action. It sounds official, and it is. But behind it are simple, tangible shifts.
- Buildings powered by wind from the hills.
- Solar panels doing their work on community rooftops.
- Cleaner buses and bin lorries moving through the streets.
Things are slowly changing, it continues to be a little different than before.
There are future plans as well.
- More trees.
- Safer routes to walk and cycle.
- Neighbourhoods reimagined to feel greener, calmer, more liveable.
Not instant. But moving in the right direction.
And then there is the us, we can make everyday choices to shape our city.
- Walking when you can.
- Using what you already have.
- Recycling without overthinking it.
- Taking a moment to notice the green that already exists around you.
You do not need to do everything, but you can do something.
Because nothing changes all at once. It changes through thousands of small, almost unremarkable decisions, made by people.
Belfast is trying and maybe that is what Earth Day really asks of us.
Not perfection. Just the participation in a small change.
