Earth Day each year is a moment where we just pause for a moment, look back at what we have achieved in terms of environmental gains (or have missed) and plan for the year ahead. It is a time for celebration and reflection. It gives you an opportunity to start afresh and tell you that it is never too late to join in and help save our planet and make a better tomorrow. Here are 10 of the best ways in which you can do your bit as we gear up to rejoice on this April 22nd.
Environmental awareness
This is the best thing you can do this Earth Day and it is not something that needs to stop after a single day. Stay aware of things that are happening around you. Educate yourself about the latest eco issues and what is happening in your own locality. Sometimes little things can really make a big difference.
Going Beyond Earth Day
Earth day must be just a point in your journey. If it is a new beginning to you, then all the more better! But the idea is to keep going beyond just that one day as it is not just a celebration. Keep the good work going by participating in various planet-friendly events throughout the year. You cannot solve the problems plaguing our planet over night.
Plant a Tree
There is nothing like adding a bit of green to your neighborhood and cleaning up that polluted air with a plant that will offer some much needed freshness. With growing concerns of global warming and increasing carbon emissions, this is the best way to offset your own carbon footprint.
Create Awareness
Write a letter to your local congressman and do not feel insignificant if you do not get anything done the first time. People have sometimes written for several years persistently to finally bring about change. Educate others on importance of eco-awareness and how they can help as well. Drops of water do make up an ocean…
Recycle
Reduce, reuse and recycle. No matter how many times you repeat that, it is simply not enough. Look around your own home and you will find plenty of stuff that fall sunder one of these categories. Recycle the old stuff, reduce on wastage of resources and reuse everything that you can. You might be rich enough to waste resources, but the planet will only get poorer because of that.
Walk more – Drive less
You need not take out your car for a bit of shopping that is just a block or two away. Walk a bit more whenever possible and rely less on fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Bring out that old bicycle of yours and help cut down on global carbon emissions. This not only creates a healthier planet, but also a healthy you.
LED Lighting
Use energy efficient lighting installations wherever possible. LEDs are pretty bright and save up on plenty of power. Use natural ventilation to cut down on artificial lighting needs, as well.
Water Conservation
Clean fresh water is a scarce resource and those who have it in plenty might not realize it, but much of the planet is suffering lack of water resources. Do not leave taps running and construct a rainwater management system if possible. Also better gray water management helps greatly in water conservation.
Say no to Plastic
Avoid plastic wherever you can and eliminate its usage. Plastic is one of the worst eco-offenders not just because it ends up as a toxic contaminant in landfills, but also thanks to its widespread usage, one finds it almost everywhere. Turn towards biodegradable alternatives to help shape a cleaner tomorrow.
Turn off gadgets you do not need
This is the simplest thing of all to do and yet most of us are just too lazy to switch off gadgets when we do not need them. There is no point wasting energy by switching on gadgets and leaving them in that state when you are not using them. It helps save on your power bills as well.
