How to celebrate Earth Day has been on our minds for over 50 years. It was first organized on April 22, 1970 as a teach-in that united Americans across the country to speak out against the ravages of the industrial age. It ushered in the EPA, the Clean Air Act and the Endangered Species Act, among other planet saving legislation. Sometimes it seems like the problems are too big for individuals to solve, but as we raise awareness, change habits, and use our voices, we can move forward to reduce climate change and clean up our earth.
“Don’t underestimate your power. When your voice and actions are united with millions of others around the world, we can create an inclusive and impactful movement that is impossible to ignore.”
EarthDay.org
Check out this video – EarthDay.Org 2023 Theme – Emerald Book Club
We need to #InvestInOurPlanet in 2023. We can invest our time and raise our voices to move towards a healthy planet. Here are five ways to celebrate Earth Day and invest in our planet.
#1 Plant a Tree
Planting trees is the cheapest and most impactful way to take CO2 out of the atmosphere and reduce climate change. If you’re going to plant your own tree, find a good spot away from buildings. The best time to plant a tree is in the fall. If you don’t have the space or time to plant a tree you can still help with reforestation by donating to organizations like the Canopy Project which plants trees where they are needed across the globe. The USDA Forest Service Plant a Tree Program also accepts donations for planting trees in our national forests.
“EARTHDAY.ORG understands that reforestation is one of the most important and accessible ways that people can contribute to solving the challenges of climate change.”
EarthDay.org
Use Your Voice
Sign this petition started by a 14 year old girl in the Bay Area asking carmakers to donate $100 to the Arbor Day Foundation for every car sold.
Learn more about how to celebrate earth day by reducing pollution with this Consumer’s Guide to Reducing Pollution from ConsumerNotice.org.
“A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people”
– Franklin D. Roosevelt
On #EarthDay and Every Day of the year, I #InvestInOurPlanet. You can too ⬇️
#2 Celebrate Earth Day and Save the Pollinators
Pollinator gardens attract bees, birds and hummingbirds needed to transfer pollen from flower to flower. Pollinators are essential for our ecosystem. Even a small space can be used to build a pollinator garden. You can use resources such as the Pollinator Partnership guide to select the best plants for your garden or refer to the US Fish and Wildlife Service for tips on how to create your own pollinator garden. If you are unable to start your own garden, create a bee bath or follow more tips for saving the bees from the bee conservancy.
In February of 2023 citizens petitioned the EPA to revoke a waiver that allows pesticide companies to sell their products without proving that they have any benefits. The waiver declaration states “rather than require efficacy data the Agency [EPA] presumes that benefits exceed risks”.
Use Your Voice
Sign this Call of the Wild: Save Our Pollinators petition from Change.org to get a reaction from a decision maker to help celebrate earth day this year!
We have the ability to make a difference in every industry, but that can only happen when we all work together to #InvestInOurPlanet . Join EARTHDAY.ORG in this movement and learn all the ways you can get involved.
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#3 Reduce Your Plastic Consumption to Celebrate Earth Day
Plastics are convenient, but they come at a cost to our planet. By using less plastic, we can help reduce pollution. Consider using products that can help you reduce your plastic usage, such as Ethique St Clements Clarifying Solid Shampoo Bar, Wild & Stone Organic Bamboo Toothbrush, Naturalik biodegradable paper straws and Lunchskins sealable food storage bags. Celebrate Earth Day everyday by reducing your plastic consumption with these and other innovative products.
Ethique St Clements Clarifying Solid Shampoo Bar
Wild & Stone | Firm Bristle Organic Bamboo Toothbrush
Naturalik 100-Pack Extra Durable Biodegradable Paper Straws
Lunchskins Recyclable & Sealable XL Food Storage Sandwich Bags
Use your voice
Sign this petition to call for a global plastics treaty.
Reduce plastic, the effects are drastic! With over 8.3 billion tons of plastic, the Earth is in need of a bit of TLC! ️
#4 Build a Wardrobe Capsule
Fashion changes quickly. What used to be four fashion seasons a year has turned to 52. This fast fashion trend is contributing to the enormous amount of textiles going to the landfill, along with a lot of other harm to the environment. Slow down and stop buying things that don’t last. Most of us wear the same clothes all the time. Admit it and reduce your wardrobe to those favorite things. Add a few basic items to make a wardrobe capsule and you can have outfits you love for any occasion.
A wardrobe capsule can mean fewer decisions, more time and money, less stress and is more sustainable. Apps like Stylebook, Skap or Smart Closet can help you turn your overstuffed closet into a wardrobe capsule.
Use your voice
Sign this petition to ask the government to require the fashion industry to implement environmental practices.
Help your local communities celebrate Earth Day by picking up trash , shopping at local farmer’s markets , or even buying clothes out of recyclable materials. Learn more about Earth Day’s initiative, #InvestInOurPlanet : https://bit.ly/3URonAd
#5 Celebrate Earth Day by Shopping Your Values
Look for sustainable certifications that fit your values like organic ingredients or fair labor practices. Certifications are voluntary guidelines that are used by producers, manufacturers, traders, retailers, and service providers to demonstrate their commitment to good environmental, social, ethical, and food safety practices. There are over 400 such standards across the world. You can usually find a certification’s symbol on the label.
If you’re shopping online certifications might not be as apparent. Amazon created its “Climate Pledge Friendly” campaign in 2020, tagging products that have at least one of over 20 out of the 400 certifications out there. A search on Amazon, however, does not necessarily get you to these products. You need a robust search and recommendation engine like Softly. With Softly you can easily find products that have third party certifications. It is free and will work in the background searching for alternatives with certifications for the products you choose. You can set Softly to look for particular types of sustainability categories or keep it open to all.
Learn more about certifications and how they can help you buy sustainable products. Download Softly’s guide to sustainability certifications.
Our planet is a wise investment. What we do today can benefit our planet in the years to come. Celebrate Earth Day every week of the year. Try out these 52 more ways to #InvestInOurPlanet from earthday.org.
#InvestInOurPlanet #EarthDay #EarthDayEveryDay #ClimateChange #Environment #Sustainability #TakeAction #ItsNotADayItsAMovement #TheGreatGlobalCleanup #TheCanopyProject #FashionForTheEarth #VoteEarth #GreenCities #ClimateLiteracy
References
- The History of Earth Day
- Earth Day | US EPA
- The Canopy Project – Earth Day
- Plant-A-Tree Program | US Forest Service
- Why is Pollination Important? | US Forest Service
- Planting Guides | Pollinator.org
- How to build a pollinator garden | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
- 10 Ways to Save the Bees – The Bee Conservancy
- 5 Truths the Fast Fashion Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know | HuffPost Life
- What Is Fast Fashion and Why Is It So Bad?
- What is a Capsule Wardrobe? (& How to Build One) — Sustainably Chic
