Today, on April 22, we celebrate Earth Day!

It is a reminder of the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability, encouraging us to come together and take action for a healthier planet and a brighter future, for all beings present and future.

On this special day, three GTI team members came together to write this article in honour of the amazing planet we get to call home.

Hans Timpner, from Aruba

When I think of Earth Day I mainly envision a connection with Mother Earth and how to live as close as possible and in balance with it. I have a small garden that I work in when the season is right.

Hans loves to grow his own vegetables.

Since Aruba has a very dry climate, we need all the water we can get so we harvest most of our water when it rains. We collect it from the roof into holding tanks. Moreover, we produce our mulch and use the water from the shower for our garden.

Another thing that brings me closer to Mother Earth is planting trees. 

When traveling I love to plant trees, which also allows me to offset some of my carbon emissions.

Recently, I visited India and planted some trees with our GTI India community, Sandhya, Dharmendakar, Mrinalini, and Raghunath Dhole.

Francisca Gusmão, from Portugal

Celebrating Earth Day works as a reminder of how much we owe the planet and all the living beings in it.

I believe we have lost our sense of connectedness with the world, the idea that we are deeply linked to one another, and that we can only be truly happy and content when we wish that for others.

Looking at and learning about Nature inspires me; it offers lessons in simplicity, beauty, and love.

Cooking and gardening are two ways I’ve found to express these values. So that is what I will be doing on Earth Day 2024, to remind myself and to show gratitude.

And you?

Bengu from New Zealand

Earth Day! I celebrate it every day, we all do. Every time we look at the sky, drink water from a stream, walk in a forest (no matter how big or small) and when we encounter other beings, we celebrate this unique planet. Nevertheless it is very good to dedicate a special day to remind us how amazing and abundant she is. 

In recent years, I have been humbly giving back by caring for animals and planting trees. Most of the residents of this planet live in an epic symbiotic relationship. All beings, plants and humans are part of this synchronized dance. We all need to do our part to be a positive member of this life on earth. Humans with their higher intelligence and consciousness, have enormous responsibility. We have to make sure that we adjust our living to nature’s ways, being part of it instead of working against it. We then will have a successful life living in harmony by living simply.

Animals remind us every day that they succeed living simply by following and hearing nature. They are so tuned with the Earth that their everyday life is guided by it 100%. As humans, we achieve the most peaceful and healthiest lifestyle when we live in nature as organic as possible. Life on Earth can be and will be better when more people live a harmonious life connected to nature together with the animal beings.

And you? How are you celebrating Earth Day this year?

Tell us about it in the comment section below. And thank you for being here!