Earth Day in 2022 is on Friday, April 22. But what does this mean, and how can you take action to help support this worldwide movement?
The world’s first Earth Day took place in 1970. It came about after the detrimental oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, and activists started working together to help spread awareness of increasing environmental problems.
Earth Day soon went global, bringing environmental issues like oil spills, toxic dumps, and loss of wilderness to the world’s attention.
Today, Earth Day is recognized by more than a billion people worldwide, and is helping to raise awareness of pressing issues like climate change, global warming and a push for clean energy.
As an individual, here are 10 Inspiring Ways to make Earth Day Every Day!
1. Pick up Rubbish
If you’re out jogging, walking, or hanging out at a playground with your kids and you see rubbish on the ground, pick it up and bit it in a bin.
The rubbish that litters our streets, beaches, trails and parks can potentially harm wildlife and end up in our waterways (and eventually our oceans!).
You may not feel like this is making a huge difference, but every little piece counts, especially if you’re saving it from an animal who might accidentally ingest it.
2. Reduce your Plastic Consumption
Plastic is a major environmental issue. It takes years to decompose (if at all), and if it does, it breaks down into micro-plastics – which are harmful to our oceans and wildlife.
Plastic is a major environmental issue. It takes years to decompose (if at all), and if it does, it breaks down into micro-plastics – which are harmful to our oceans and wildlife.
There are so many simple ways you can reduce your plastic consumption. You could start by saying no to buying plastic water bottles and switching to a reusable one. Or, you could decide enough is enough with the single-use plastic produce bags and switch to a reusable shopping bag.
You could go as hard (or easy) with this one as you like. Basically the less plastic in your life (and on our planet) the better!
3. Learn how to Compost
Why compost? Food waste in landfills doesn't break down properly (nor does any of the rubbish that ends up there). Instead, it produces methane gas which is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.
So, instead of sending your food waste off to landfill you can use your green organics bin (if you have one available to you), or you can start your own mini compost at home (if your garden allows it).
For tips on home composting check out this blog article.
If you don’t have a compost bin or room for one at home, check out Share Waste – a website that connects ‘people who wish to recycle their food scraps and other organics with their neighbours who are already composting, worm-farming or keeping farm animals’.
4. Use EarthDay.Org's. EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES in the Classroom
There is no better place to teach environmental issues than in the classroom. If we can start educating our children on how to care for and respect our planet, the more hope we have for our future.
Let's start raising a generation of earth-loving warriors!
5. Shop Sustainable Fashion
Fast fashion has a lot of answer for when it comes to the wastage produced by the clothes and textiles that these outlets are selling.
Without naming names, all you need to do is head to your local shopping centre to see that clothing companies are producing cheap and nasty clothes left right and centre.
'Our clothes can take as long as 200 years to decompose...so our planet is getting polluted by more and more unnatural material all the time.' (pebblemag).
Shopping sustainably means considering what fabric your clothes are made of and who you are buying them from.
Eva Cassis (sustainable fashion designer), covers this topic in great detail here: Slow Fashion vs Fast Fashion.
6. Opt for more Plant Based Meals
‘The food system is responsible for over a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions, of which approximately 80% are associated with livestock production. But swapping out those meat and dairy items for plant-based options can have an enormous impact on climate change and your personal carbon footprint.’ Earthday.org
Try switching up your weekly dinners to include more plant-based meals. There are tons of websites sharing plant-based recipe ideas.
I’ve been vegan for over 15 years now and can vouch for so many tasty vegan recipes! A few of my favourites are lentil curry dahl, Mexican tortillas with spicy black beans and peanut noodle stir-fry with tofu.
7. Start Saving Water
Every time you turn a tap on at home energy is needed to filter, heat and pump the water through the tap.
Reducing your household water usage not only saves you money on your water bill, you also reduce your carbon footprint by decreasing your energy consumption.
Here are a few ways to start reducing your household water usage:
- Shorter showers
- When washing dishes, don’t leave the water running for rinsing
- Save cooked pasta water for watering your garden
- Turn the tap off when brushing your teeth
- Put a bucket in the shower and save cold water (when you’re waiting for it to turn hot)
- Use water-saving faucets
- Reuse wastewater where possible (i.e. can you drain bathtubs, and washing machines to water the garden?).
- If you have a rainwater tank, use this water to water the garden
- Choose water-efficient appliances
8. Plant a tree
In a nutshell, plants capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and use it for their own growth and energy. For every plant planted, you're helping to decrease carbon emissions.
Sure, one tree planted might not seem like much, but imagine this movement worldwide...
If you don’t have space in your backyard to plant your own tree – check out fifteen trees who will buy a tree on your behalf and find a location for it, all for less than a cup of coffee.
9. Join a clean up event or register one yourself
A great way to really make a difference this Earth Day (and every day!!) is to get involved in a local clean up event (or start one yourself).
Check out EarthDay’s link to find a clean up near you - or to register one yourself
10. Start Shopping Consciously
‘Overproduction and overconsumption add to the already-high levels of pollution and toxic gases that contribute to global warming.’ ‘Netimpact.org
Overconsumption basically means buying too much ‘stuff’. Shopping sale items when you get 2 for 1 (but don’t really need the 2nd item), or buying something that’s ‘on sale for a limited time’ for fear of missing out.
Ways to avoid overconsumption are to buy less and to consider 2nd hand items over brand new. Avoid sales, try DIY gifts, or gift vouches, check out op shops, Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace before buying brand new and finally - consider the life-cycle of what you are buying (i.e. where will it go when you don't need it anymore...???).
Are you ready to take action this Earth Day (and every day)?
Plastic pollution, climate change and global warming are not just buzz words. Earth Day and every day, we need to start taking urgent action to bring about change and to help restore our beautiful planet.
We’d love to know what action you're taking. Pop your comments below or share your action on Instagram and tag us (@diminish.au).