April 1st is traditionally a day for harmless pranks, unexpected surprises, and fake engagement announcements. But did you know it’s also Fossil Fools’ Day? No, that’s not a typo—it’s a day dedicated to calling out the real tricksters: the fossil fuel industry. And if you live in the Great Lakes region, you’re no stranger to the dangers posed by fossil fuel pollution, pipeline risks, and corporate greenwashing.
The Origins of Fossil Fools’ Day
Fossil Fools’ Day began as an environmental activist movement in the early 2000s, cleverly playing on April Fools’ Day to highlight the deceptive tactics of the fossil fuel industry. While pranksters are out planting fake spiders and swapping sugar for salt, corporations are busy convincing the world that burning fossil fuels is no big deal—despite mounting climate disasters, oil spills, and water contamination.
For us in the Great Lakes region, this isn’t just some abstract global issue. It’s right in our backyard. From the looming threat of a Line 5 oil spill in the Great Lakes, to rising temperatures affecting fish populations and weather patterns, the fossil fuel industry has been playing a dangerous game with our most precious natural resource.
Right: The timeline of Fossil Fools Day
Why Should You Care?
Aside from being a cleverly named awareness day, Fossil Fools’ Day is a reminder that our reliance on fossil fuels is one of the biggest pranks being played on humanity—especially for those who depend on the Great Lakes for drinking water, recreation, and economic stability. Here’s why:
- Line 5 is a Ticking Time Bomb: The aging Enbridge Line 5 pipeline runs beneath the Straits of Mackinac, putting the world’s largest freshwater system at constant risk of an oil spill. A rupture here would devastate wildlife, fisheries, and drinking water for millions.
- Climate Change is Hitting Home: Lake levels are fluctuating wildly, algae blooms are worsening, and extreme weather events—like polar vortexes and intense storms—are becoming more frequent due to fossil fuel-driven climate change.
- Pollution Threatens Freshwater: From oil refinery waste to plastic pollution, the Great Lakes bear the brunt of environmental harm caused by the fossil fuel industry. And when corporations claim they’re “going green” while continuing to pollute, that’s the biggest prank of all.
How You Can Participate
Want to carry the Fossil Fools’ Day spirit year-round? Here’s how to celebrate (or protest) with a focus on the Great Lakes region:
- Call for the Shutdown of Line 5: The Enbridge Line 5 pipeline is an environmental disaster waiting to happen. Demand its shutdown by signing petitions, calling legislators, and supporting Indigenous and environmental groups leading the fight.
- Protect the Great Lakes from Fossil Fuel Pollution: Oil spills, refinery waste, and industrial runoff threaten the world’s largest freshwater system. Support policies that prioritize clean water, and challenge corporations that put profit over ecosystem health.
- Attend Local Protests and Events: Many environmental groups in the Great Lakes region organize Fossil Fools’ Day actions. Find a local demonstration or awareness event and show up in support of clean energy initiatives.
- Make Sustainable Choices: Reduce reliance on fossil fuels by biking, carpooling, or advocating for better public transit in your community. Support clean energy policies at the local and state levels to push for a greener future.
- Spread Awareness: Share information on social media, write to your representatives, and educate others on how the fossil fuel industry impacts the Great Lakes region specifically.
The Biggest April Fools’ Joke of All
At the end of the day, Fossil Fools’ Day reminds us that the biggest joke isn’t the classic “tape the remote control sensor” prank—it’s the ongoing deception of fossil fuel companies pretending they’re part of the solution while remaining the root of the problem.
So this April 1st, don’t just prank your friends—prank the fossil fuel industry by rejecting their spin, demanding real change, and choosing sustainable alternatives. Because the last thing we need is another year of getting fooled—especially when it comes to the Great Lakes.
