Earth day is just around the corner. Here are a few of my favorite tips that you may want to explore for this Earth Day! Enjoy!
1. Do a litter pick up!
This is something anyone can do as long as the weather is cooperative. You don’t need anyone else to help you out, but it sure does make it a lot more fun when you invite friends and/or family to come along. The best part is that you can pick up double the trash if you invite even just one friend! And everyone should do something sustainable on Earth Day. Start with a piece or two of litter. Before you know it you’ll have a whole bag full of trash and save a ton of wildlife from the pollution.
2. Build a backyard compost
Today is as good a day as any to build a backyard compost. It can be a super simple process and all you need is to get a bin of some sort that is big enough to fit many months worth of compostable scraps. Trust me, you might make a lot more compost than you expect. On average, Americans throw away a pound of food waste every day! Watch this video to learn more about composting. Heck, watch all of my videos this Earth day!
3. Buy nothing
To have the best impact on the planet, have no impact… well no negative impact. Buying products is unfortunately one of the easiest ways to have a negative impact on our environment. Buy nothing. Save money. Save the planet. You save the energy it takes to ship a product, waste from it eventually going to the landfill, and everything harmed in the process of making the item. If you find that you do need something on Earth Day, look for a second-hand version. It can reduce waste even more!
4. Plant seeds
At this point we are about a month into Spring. Now is a great time to plant some seeds. People often plant trees for Earth day which is an awesome idea, but you can also do something as simple as starting a small garden. There are numerous plants to grow this time of year. I strongly encourage you to try it if you have access to some seeds.
5. Read books about sustainability to educate yourself
Reading books is an awesome way to educate yourself about sustainability (as is watching my YouTube videos!). Reading books can help you see these issues from a personal perspective as well as a society. A few months ago, Bill Gates released his book, How to Avoid a Climate Disaster. Last month I finished the book The Future We Choose. There are so many great books out there about sustainability. I recommend you either support your local library or find an online pdf to avoid buying anything or wasting trees.
6. Eat vegan or vegetarian meals all day
Of course I recommend you do this everyday, but if you chose to go vegan one day out of the entire year, I think Earth Day is the best day to do it! There are vegan options out there for a reason. However, you can also just stick to good old fruits and vegetables and grains for a day, it reduces your carbon footprint substantially. Of course, it is just a recommendation.
7. Use public transportation, walk, or bike everywhere
Another one of the most emission producing daily practices we contribute to every day is how we get around. I strongly suggest that you just boycott your car for a day and walk wherever you can when possible. Of course, if you have somewhere you need to be where you can’t carpool, walk, bike, or take public transportation, then don’t worry about it. Again, I just give suggestions. Strong suggestions.
8. Try making as little waste as possible
I’ve mentioned before that it is actually impossible to make no waste, but you can try just for a day. If you aren’t buying anything, it becomes a lot easier to produce minimal waste. Simply reduce your waste and set goals for yourself such as not creating the 4.5 pound of trash that the average American throws away every day. It is a simple idea, but definitely takes some effort. Good luck!
Bonus:
Don’t take a shower (...just for fun)
It’s just a day… save a few gallons of water today and ditch your shower. It’s just a day. And you’ll get back some time in your day too.
Watch a documentary about sustainability
Whether it’s a rainy day, or you just want to relax, try a movie or documentary that can help educate you how to live the most sustainable lifestyle. Support a local business
Instead of impulsively buying an amazon package, try supporting a small local business if you need to buy or repair something.
I hope these tips were helpful as always. I hope you all have a sustainable Earth Day and a great day. Until next time… peace.
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