Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22 to raise awareness and encourage deeper appreciation of the earth and environment (EarthDay.org). Below are 7 simple everyday suggestions. Perhaps you can think of and research many other ways to love, support and respect Mother Earth, the environment and eco-systems, or donate to charities that do.
1. Green Cleaning
Take a look at your kitchen and bathroom cleaning products. How many of these are natural and eco-friendly? Commit to the switch this Earth Day! Cleaning products can be full of all kinds of nasty chemicals, including chlorine and petroleum distillates, which expose not only your family to toxins but the ecosystem too. Choose nontoxic, naturally derived cleaning products that won’t cause long term damage to the Earth.
2. Pesticides and Herbicides
Explore natural pesticide options that work in harmony with the earth. Mother Nature always has natural solutions! Herbicides are also far from environmentally friendly. There are natural and holistic pesticide and herbicide options, plus you can remove weeds by hand.
3. Plant a Tree on Earth Day
Over a 50-year lifetime, a tree generates $31,250 worth of oxygen, provides $62,000 worth of air pollution control, recycles $37,500 worth of water, and controls $31,250 worth of soil erosion. Trees also provide shade that keeps homes and cities cooler.
4. Paper
Each year pulp mills release over one trillion gallons of chlorine-tainted water as part of the paper making process. Can you cut down on your use of paper in general? If you use the other side of paper that would in itself make a big difference. Better yet, choose recycled chlorine-free paper.
5. Emissions
In the US, as an example, over 700 million gallons of gas are wasted each year because tires aren’t properly inflated, and millions more because vehicles aren’t properly tuned up. Be as conscious as you can on reducing emissions.
6. Light Bulb – Switch
There are many energy saving bulbs on the market these day that last up to 10 times longer, use ¼ of the energy and produce up to 90% less heat, yet more light per watt. Find out what’s on the market.
7. Recycle
You can start making the world a greener place right now. Be conscious of waste and its impact. How does what you throw away effect the environment? How can you better recycle, particularly with harmful or non-degradable materials, plastics, etc. Switch to paperless mail, recycle newspapers, use re-usable bottles, donate clothing, items, computers, etc. to charities, use reusable bags, do not use plastic straws or cotton bud sticks, pack lunches in reusable containers… there are so many ways that are all easy and just take a little thought and care to implement.