Earth Day 2026: Our Power, Our Planet

The theme doesn’t just mean power in a big political sense, but the everyday kind of power that we all have. The choices we make, the habits we build, the things we decide to pay attention to, all these small choices can add up and make a big impact.

Environmental protection has never been something that just happens to us, it's something people have always had to actively choose. The first Earth Day, back in 1970, mobilised millions through exactly that kind of collective action. The protections and standards that followed helped reduce pollution-related illness, improve access to clean water, and strengthen public health in ways we now largely take for granted. That progress didn't happen by accident.

For pet owners, our connection to nature is clear. We're out in it every day, walking dogs through parks and along rivers, riding through countryside, watching cats patrol the garden. We notice when things change. When the wildflowers are later, when the river is full of algae, and when the summer feels longer and hotter than it used to.

The link between climate change and animal welfare is more direct than it might seem. Warmer summers increase the risk of heatstroke in our pets and tick-borne diseases are spreading into parts of the UK where they weren't previously found. Blue-green algae blooms are becoming more frequent in rivers and lakes and harder (or wetter!) ground affects our turnout and riding habits. These aren't distant future problems, they're happening now, and they affect the animals we care about every day.

Using your power as a pet owner

No single action saves the planet, but small, collective habits genuinely do add up. Earth Day is a great time to start one, or refresh one you've let slide.

• Why not pick up more than just your dog's waste on your next walk? Picking a few pieces of litter takes only a little time and can make a real difference to local wildlife and waterways.
• Think about what your pet is eating. Pet food has a surprisingly significant carbon footprint. Beef and lamb based foods tend to carry the highest impact, while fish, chicken, and novel protein options generally sit lower. There are even new plant and insect based diets on the market too now! It's not about changing everything overnight, just being a bit more informed about what's in the bowl (always speak to your vet for advice before changing your pets diet)
• Before buying new toys, bedding or accessories, can you repair what you already have? Or take a look second-hand first. Pet kit in good condition is easy to find and buying less new stuff is one of the simplest changes you can make.
• If you haven't already, try Agria's Carbon Pawprint and Hoofprint calculators. They're free, quick to use and give you a personalised picture of your pet's environmental impact with practical tips on where to focus. Over 3,500 people have already used them.

Our power, our commitment

At Agria, Earth Day is never a one day thing for us. We've been carbon negative since 2020, planted thousands of trees, and we’re very proud to say our Net Zero targets are independently validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. We support verified climate projects around the world, from reforestation in Brazil to clean water provision in Uganda, because we believe that caring for animals means caring for the world they live in too.

We’re here for the welfare of our people, planet, and pets. Find out more about our sustainability work at https://www.agriapet.co.uk/sustainability/