- Maëlys Renaud
The Calendar of Environmental World Days for Pole Dancers
‘Pole Dance for the Planet’ is exactly what the name suggests: getting together (in person or online) with other pole dancers, artists and friends to act and protect the planet! Healing the natural world alone would be a daunting task, but together it is fun and impactful.
Celebrating environmental world day campaigns are a great way to raise awareness for a cause that is meaningful to you or your company - whether you are a pole dance studio or a pole brand. Perfect opportunities to share what you care about with your employees, pole students and customers, these are also an opportunity to take a closer look at your daily business routines and to explore areas where you can make greener choices. To help you get started, I selected key worldwide events for each month of the year and provided a way your business or studio can go green with innovative ideas and fun community events!
Let’s create meaningful ways and opportunities to be and move together for great causes that heal both us humans and the living world.
February 27th: World Polar Bear Day
In a warming Arctic, polar bears face great challenges and as a result the survival of every single cub is critically important. This is why the organization Polar Bear International created an awareness day to coincide with the time when polar bear moms and cubs are snug in their dens. Taking part in this international event raises awareness about the difficulties of the species to prosper and more generally, the dangers of climate change.
If you manage a pole studio, suggest to your team, instructors and students to wear white (or silver) outfits (polewear, dresses, shirts and sweatpants etc.) in honor of the polar bears and share the schedule of the events organized by Polar Bear International.
More info about World Pole Bear Day.
March 18th: Global Recycling Day
Recycling is a key part of the circular economy: it helps conserve the world's scarce natural resources, saves energy, reduces pressure to expand forests cutting and mining operations and saves landfill space by keeping useful materials out. Global Recycling Day was created in 2018 to help recognise, and celebrate, the importance recycling plays in preserving our precious primary resources and securing the future of our planet.
As an individual or business (at the office, or at your pole studio), make sure to have and give access to properly labeled recycling bins and to join a recycling program;
Organize a one-time or on-going collection of electronic waste and batteries: they do not belong in the curbside trash or recycling container and when improperly disposed of, these materials can start fires in recycling facilities and landfills. To do so, contact your city's recycling coordinator or visit the US Environmental Protection Agency for programs near you.
More info about Global Recycling Day.
April 22nd: Earth Day
Earth Day is the world's largest environmental movement! Founded in 1970, it now includes a wide range of events and about 1 billion people take actions in more than 193 countries.
Gather your team of employees or your students and volunteer for an Earth Day event near you!
May 20th: World Bee Day
Bees have a discreet but crucial role in our lives! Together with wild pollinators, they play a major role in maintaining biodiversity, ensuring the survival and reproduction of many plants, supporting forest regeneration, promoting sustainability and adaptation to climate change, improving the quantity and quality of agricultural productions. Let’s remember that over one third of the food we eat relies on pollination by bees, either directly or indirectly! Held annually by the UN, World Bee Day aims to further raise awareness of the importance of bees and to strengthen collaboration to protect them.
In your garden or around your pole studio, plant wild flowers or a diverse set of native plants, which flower at different times of the year;
Create a partnership with a local farmer to buy raw honey and support sustainable farming practices.
More info about World Bee Day.
June 8th: World Ocean Day
World Ocean Day connects people around the globe with the mission to protect and restore the oceans!
Engage your pole community with an ocean themed flow choreography. As flow classes' popularity grows, it is a great opportunity to take a moment and honor our blue planet and the oceans.
More info about World Ocean Day.
July: Plastic-free Month
Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution. Last year, I wrote the article ‘How Pole Dancers Can End Plastic Pollution’ in which I share different ideas to join the movement!
There are many ways to get rid of plastic items, for example: choose eco-conscious polewear and promote sustainably sourced cork-based workout equipment including mats and blocks (instead of petroleum-based ones!).
More info about Plastic Free July.
August 9th: International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
Indigenous People are carers of natural resources and keepers of scientific knowledge. They play a crucial role in the preservation and transmission of traditional ancestral knowledge. The annual International Day of the World’s Indigenous People helps raise awareness and protect the rights of the world's indigenous population and recognizes the achievements and contributions that indigenous people make to improve world issues such as environmental protection.
Deepen your understanding of Indigenous issues around the world, listen to Indigenous voices and take a moment to acknowledge the land you stand on - in pole class or at work for example, along the lines of: “We acknowledge that the land on which we are gathered here today is the home and traditional land belonging to the Tongva Nation’ (as I am writing from my pole space in Los Angeles), collaborate with and support Indigenous artists.
More info about International Day of the World's Indigenous People.
September 15th: World Clean Up Day
Images of birds strangled by plastic and sea life filled with cotton swabs… these became common images. World Clean Up Day is an annual global social action program aimed at combating the global solid waste problem, one piece of trash at a time.
Organize a clean up around the studio or participate in a local clean up event!
More info about World Clean Up Day.
October 10th: World Mental Health Day
Pole dancing is now known to boost mental health, and it seems very natural as a community to celebrate World Mental Health Day, a day designed to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.
Share resources about mental well-being (including important contacts and numbers) and organize discussions and workshops about pole dance as a healing journey.
More info about World Mental Health Day.
November 28th: Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday is about giving back! Donations are a powerful way to neighbors and friends in need and to support experts who do impactful work in environmental areas.
Create a donation station or host a giving circle!
Follow 10 grassroots environmental organization social media accounts and post about them on your stories to provide visibility to the work they do.
More info about Giving Tuesday.
December: Eco-Friendly Holidays
Could your seasonal gifts help both you and your close ones (and employees, students, customers) tread more lightly on the planet?
Giving the gift of an experience can bring fun, learning and memories that hold value for years: why not offer a pole dance class or workshop (in the form of gift card at your favorite studio or for online classes to support one your favorite instructor).
Make home-made cards, find alternatives to wrapping paper, look for locally made gifts, choose gifts made from recycled sources and give ‘battery-free’ gifts.
January: Veganuary!
Vegetarian and vegan diets are best for the environment and human health. With a balanced diet, vegan athletes thrive! This is what I learned from the Game Changers documentary and other scientific research about plant-based eating, protein, and strength.
Why not create a community challenge to implement this diet for an entire month?
Most importantly: Your voice matters: speak up! Think globally, act locally!
Let's make 2023 an eventful and impactful year! Since involvement is key, ask your employees, students and community to help you research and brainstorm ideas, and to help you plan those social media campaigns, new offers, classes and community events! Let’s pole together to celebrate worldwide environmental days!
With love,
Maëlys