Ways You Can Support Earth Day

The effects of climate change as well as other environmental issues are upon us. On April 22, we take a short break from our busy schedules to reflect on and change human behaviors that are harmful to the Earth.

Earth Day reminds us to do our part in saving the planet and to act in more environmentally responsible ways. We’re also reminded to advocate for policy changes that can help preserve and save our planet for future generations.

Earth Day is supported by activists, environmentalists, nature lovers, and around a billion individuals each year.

If you want to be a part of this important Earth-saving movement, here are 14 ways to become involved. 

1. Don’t Drive

During our annual celebration of Earth Day, skip the car. Consider walking to work, taking public transport, biking, carpooling, or working from home. Not only will you spare the atmosphere from pollution, but you’ll also save energy and money on gas. You can also use this day to start a carpool with your colleagues or neighbors.

2. Skip the Shower

A standard showerhead disperses 2.5 gallons of water per minute. An average American takes an eight-minute-long shower every day. That’s a lot of water daily!

On Earth Day, skip the long shower and save some water. At the very least, skip washing your hair.

3. Find Ways To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Whether it’s through using an air conditioner, traveling, ordering online, driving, or other activities, we all have our own carbon footprint. This Earth Day, let’s take steps to reduce it. One way to do this is by buying carbon offsets to make up for your carbon emissions.

If you don’t yet know what carbon offsets are, these are purchases that allow you to offset greenhouse gas emissions from a certain activity. If, for example, you purchased an airline ticket, the company can offer a carbon offset that you can buy. The money goes towards activities that would make up for the emissions that your flight would have produced.

4. Email Your Legislator

Email your local representatives, politicians, and other authorities urging them to make Earth-friendly changes. Choose a cause that’s important to you. Whether it’s suggesting a change in your city, or speaking about a global issue, an email can show them that the environment is an important public issue and can make them aware of local improvements that can help Mother Earth. 

5. Organize or Volunteer a Clean-up Drive

What better way to celebrate Earth Day than coming together with like-minded individuals to clean up the environment? Get your friends and family together, walk around your neighborhood, and pick up any trash you see. You can also search the web for Earth Day activities in your area that you can join. 

6. Plant a Tree

Trees make the air breathable, help filter water, and are home to more than 80% of the world’s species. Tree-planting is thus good for the environment and us as well. If you’re looking for the best types of trees to plant, here’s a list of trees that are especially effective at fighting climate change. Or you can donate to One Tree Planted, you can support their expert team in planting trees across the globe. Simply select the country where you want to make a difference, and One Tree Planted will take care of the rest. Your donation will go a long way in creating a healthier planet.

7. Change Your Light Bulbs

Replace your old lightbulbs with energy-saving LED bulbs. LED stands for "light-emitting diode," which is a semiconductor device that emits light when an electric current flows through it. LED lights are a type of lighting technology that have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their energy efficiency, long lifespan, and lower environmental impact compared to traditional incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs.

8. Start a Compost Bin

Composting is not just a sustainable way to manage leftover kitchen scraps, but it can also reduce our reliance on landfills while cutting down on waste transportation costs. Pick a sustainable location and you're one step closer to get it started. 

9. Make a Commitment

Whether you commemorated Earth Day by starting a compost bin or you skipped a bath to save water, make sure it’s not a one-time behavior.  Take conscious steps to stick with these habits in the long run. 

10. Support Organizations and Businesses That Are Committed to the Environment and Sustainability

Everyone can make a difference, including businesses and organizations. Know which of them have sustainable practices and environmental initiatives or partnerships and give them your support.

A great example is Natural Farm, a dog treats and chews manufacturer that plants a tree for every order received. All our promotional materials are printed on recyclable paper while our products arrive in certified green packaging that’s made with 51% recyclable sugar cane. In addition, all the ingredients in our dog treats are sustainably sourced.

To help us operate more responsibly and sustainably, we have partnerships with several relevant organizations. 

11. Buy A Recyclable Water Bottle

Americans purchase about 50 billion water bottles per year, almost all of which end up in the dumps and landfills or make their way into the ocean. This Earth Day, it’s time to swap single-use plastic water bottles with recyclable and reusable water bottles!

12. Spend Time in Nature

Whether it’s a hike in the woods or a walk in a park, spend some quality time in nature. Refresh your mind, body, and soul. It’s one of the best ways to remind yourself why putting so much time and effort into saving this beautiful planet is worth it. 

13. Conserve Water

Simple steps you can take include fixing leaky faucets and pipes, taking shorter showers, installing low-flow fixtures, using a broom instead of a hose to clean outdoor spaces, and watering plants during the cooler parts of the day. You can also consider collecting rainwater with a rain barrel for outdoor use and choosing water-efficient appliances and landscaping options.

14. Raise Awareness Among Children

Children are our future. Instilling them with a sense of responsibility towards Mother Earth is one of the best steps we can take to protect our world. Below are a few steps to get children involved. 

• Lead by example: Children learn by observing the behavior of those around them, so make sure you model environmentally friendly habits such as recycling and conserving energy.

• Educate and explain: Explain the importance of being environmentally friendly and the impact it has on the planet. Use age-appropriate language and examples to help children understand.

• Encourage participation: Involve children in activities such as planting a garden, composting, or recycling to help them develop a sense of responsibility and connection to the environment.

• Make it fun: Engage children in activities such as nature walks or art projects that focus on the environment. This helps to instill a sense of appreciation and love for nature.

• Reward and praise: Recognize and praise environmentally friendly behaviors and efforts. This helps to reinforce positive habits and encourages continued efforts towards being environmentally friendly.

Conclusion

Earth Day is a great opportunity to recommit ourselves to saving the Earth and switching to more eco-friendly habits. It’s also a good time to start talking about important environmental issues and raising greater awareness about them.

Since we all live on the same planet, let’s each do our part and find ways to help save the Earth. Whether big or small, every bit helps. Mother Earth needs us to adopt more responsible habits now more than ever.