What to do for Earth Day and after that

I know that Earth Day was yesterday, but I want to emphasise on the fact that every day should be Earth Day, and that we should take care of our one and only Earth literally 24/7. How? Well, let me tell you how!

1. Plant something

Not only do trees cool things down (together they can help lower a city’s temperature by up to 10 degrees), but they also clean the air and release more oxygen, along with a host of other benefits. Plant one in your family’s yard (if mom or dad needs persuasion, tell them trees have been proven to increase the value of your property by 15%). Another option is to plant your own fruits and vegetables, which will benefit your health and reduce fossil fuel emissions by avoiding having to transport the food to stores.

2. Ride your bicycle

Find transportation alternatives that help you reduce your carbon footprint, but get you moving. The fewer cars on the road, the less carbon emissions pollute the air and contribute to global warming. Cycling and just going for a walk are two of the best options available. And if you don’t have a bicycle or don’t know how to ride one, carpool or take public transportation.

3. Buy reusable bags

We’re estimated to use 100 billion plastic bags a year, and our production alone requires about 12 million barrels of oil. Not to mention, they take up a lot of space in landfills and cause major problems for marine animals. Instead, buy some reusable bags to use when you go to the supermarket.

4. Use a refillable water bottle

Just because you throw your plastic water bottles in the trash doesn’t mean they won’t harm the environment. In addition to requiring more than 1.5 million barrels of oil annually to produce all those bottles, there are still more than two million tons of water bottles that have ended up in landfills. Buy a reusable bottle, preferably one with a filter attached, so you get fresh water every time.

5. Get your stuff from a local farmer’s market

In addition to supporting local businesses, you’re also helping the Earth by sourcing your fruits and vegetables locally. That’s because food in the supermarkets travels an average of 1,500 miles to get to you, and all that shipping can cause pollution, plus an increase in fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions. If you buy locally, it’ll be transported over shorter distances.

6. Shop for second-hand clothes

Do you want to treat yourself to a new outfit? You can do it in an environmentally friendly way! As with any kind of goods, buying something that has already been used is great for the Earth as it doesn’t require new resources. Also, some studies have shown that buying online can actually be better for the environment as it takes about 30% less energy to do so.

7. No more catalogs

The fact is that every year more than 100 million trees are cut down to produce junk mail including catalogs. Moreover, they usually just end up in the trash.

8. Long-lasting light bulbs

Energy efficient light bulbs reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Also flip the light switch off when you leave the room!

9. Recycle and reuse

Recycle cans, bottles, paper, books, and even toys. And reuse scrap paper for writing notes or creating crafts. Use reusable food containers for your lunch.

10. Electricity

Unplug unused chargers. Put your computer to “sleep” instead of leaving it on with the screensaver running. Choose rechargeable batteries, then recycle them when they die.

Love, Deem/Skye Lewis ❤

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