What will you be doing on Earth Day?
Here are a few activities for you to engage in on Earth Day...or every day for that matter! With Earth month nearly to a close, we don't have to stop celebrating our beautiful planet. Margaret Mead once said - "We won't have a society if we destroy the environment." Because, what would happen if we had to live amongst our garbage? The more of it we produce, the more of it that will encroach on our [physical] lives. The air we breathe, the food we eat, the gorgeous sights we see... Can you imagine how dreadful that would be? So, here are some things you can do to celebrate our wondrous home: 1. GET OUTSIDE!
Take some time and really enjoy what nature has to offer. So many studies show the mental & health benefits we get from being outside. Kick of your shoes and actually feel the grass, or be a kid and just run around. No matter what it is, get outside and get your body moving - biking, rollerblading, swimming, running, walking, etc. (#moveyourDNA - Katy Bowman)
2. GET INVOLVED IN A COMMUNITY GARDEN
Don't have a green thumb? This is a good way to start learning for free. Plus you'll meet some people in your community and connect organically (no pun intended!).
3. DO A HOME ENERGY AUDIT
Most of the world still runs on fossil fuels, and these fossil fuels are what power our home (unless your home is run by a renewable energy source - i.e. solar, wind). By doing a home energy audit, you can see how much energy may or may not be pouring out of your home. This can easily be done by calling a certified [home energy] auditing company. You'll also save money on electricity bills in the long run!
4. DONATE CLOTHES OR SHOP SECOND HAND
Manufacturing new clothing and items always requires both energy and water (harvesting material, creating usable material, manufacturing, cleaning, transporting, etc). By donating and buying second hand, you can give already existing products a new life. The old adage always rings true - "One man's trash is another man's treasure." Thankfully, upcycling is slowly gaining traction. Plus, you can clean out your closet and do a little spring cleaning!
5. SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
With our very hectic lives, sometimes these activities aren't entirely feasible. Fortunately, we live in the internet age and it could not be any easier to financially support those organizations that attack these environmental issues for us. How grateful I am that they do!
6. PLANT A TREE
Cliché as it may be, planting a tree will invariably be beneficial. They are crucial for our air purity and lovely for our sanity. So, add one to our landscape today!
7. VOLUNTEER FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL CHARITY
Want to meet fellow environmental supporters? Volunteer at an environmental charity, and help them pursue their mission. It's good for the planet, and you'll feel great too.
8. CONSERVE WATER
One of our most abundant resources, is also our scarcest. Especially here in California! This really needs to be an automatic routine for everyday life. But, in the meantime, there are ways to conservation practice on Earth Day (and every day thereafter) - take shorter showers, turn off the water when soaping hands up, don't let the faucet run while "multi-tasking," and don't do frivolous ice bucket challenges!! #icebucketchallenge #stupidestideaEVER
9. GO VEGAN OR VEGETARIAN FOR A DAY
Did you know that "growing feed crops for livestock consumes 56% of the water in the US?" People don't generally tend to think about all the water used to sustain the animals that we mass produce and end up killing just to eat it. It takes more water to produce one pound of meat than it does one pound of produce. This is one of the main reasons why I've converted to vegetarianism. Plus, my energy is up, and waistline has shrunk and is staying consistent!
10. WATCH KOYAANISQATSI
This is a film about "life out of balance." I don't know much else, and look forward to watching it!
