Earth Day is celebrated annually on the 22nd of April. And this year marks 50 years of Earth Day! In 1970 the idea for the first Earth Day was proposed to have one day to focus on the environment. Each action we do can either help or hurt our planet. Many unfortunate events happen to our Earth: using plastic, oil spills, pollution, and wiping out forests. And our Earth needs us now more than ever.
So, what can we do to create a greener living and reduce our carbon footprint?
- Reduce, reuse, recycle – Cut down on what you throw away to conserve natural resources and landfill space.
- Conserve water – We cannot live without water, so do your part in preserving this precious resource by turning off the faucet when not using, shorter showers, and check faucets and pipes for leaks.
- Conserve electricity – Use energy efficient light bulbs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And always remember to shut the lights off when you leave a room!
- Educate yourself on the value of our natural resources and the importance of greener living.
- Drive less, bike and walk more to reduce the amount of pollution going into the air.
- Utilize greener, non-toxic, and energy efficient products
- Volunteer – Getting involved with your community to cleanup helps protect your environment.
- Reduce your plastic consumption – Plastic is unavoidable but do some simple switches; plastic containers to glass; plastic bottles to reusable bottles; plastic straws to metal; plastic utensils to metal; disposable pens to refillable pens.
- Read, don’t stream – As more people are staying home due to COVID-19, streaming and data consumption rise as well as our carbon footprint; instead of watching TV, grab a book.
- Plant a tree – Trees provide food and oxygen by helping save energy, cleaning the air, and combating climate change.
Helping our Earth will allow us to be out in nature and enjoy the great benefits of it. Whether you are walking, biking, gardening, or cleaning up the yard, you are still getting the Vitamin D boost from the sun. Getting outside helps improve your mood and cheer you up. Do you ever notice yourself smiling when you step outside on a beautiful sunny day? Nature also decreases anxiety, depression, and stress, while reducing blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle tension. This is why we all need to take action to keep our Earth healthy, so we can stay healthy!
Earth Day should not just be celebrated one day a year. We should always focus on how we can better the Earth because one day is not enough. No matter where you are, you can make a difference. Our planet is fragile, so it’s important to protect it. Together, we can save the Earth.
“Let the clean air blow the cobwebs from your body. Air is medicine.”
—Lillian Russell (1862-1922), quoted in Reader's Digest, March 1922