Happy Earth Day! 🌎 April 22nd is the perfect day to step outside and appreciate the fresh air, the plants, the animals, and everything else the great outdoors has to offer.
Did You Know? Earth Day originated in the United States in 1970 to raise awareness about environmental issues and to protest pollution and oil spills.
Today, Earth Day is more important than ever. According to a 2019 poll from The Washington Post, more than 70% of teenagers and young adults believe climate change will harm their generation.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, just know there are things you can do to make a difference! In fact, we put together a list of 5 ways you can help protect planet Earth:
Reduce Your Plastic Use
Plastic debris is everywhere—in cities, parks, campgrounds, mountains, and oceans. Even landfills are running low on space, and plastic can take up to 500 years to biodegrade!
Unfortunately, plastic is such a common part of our everyday lives that it can be hard to avoid it completely, but the good news is that even just reducing your plastic use can make a big difference.
One of the best ways to cut down on your plastic usage is to opt for sustainable items rather than single-use plastics. For instance, instead of a plastic water bottle, try a Hydro Flask, a YETI, or any other brand of reusable bottle. The same principle applies to grocery bags—find a stylish canvas bag to use when you go shopping so you don’t have to use plastic bags.
You can apply the same principle to other single-use plastic items, like utensils, straws, plates, food containers, and period products. Not only will using sustainable, reusable versions of items help the planet, but it will also save you money because you won’t have to keep buying the same products over and over again. Plus, you’ll get to show off personalized items, like your water bottle and tote bag!
Drive Less
Cars produce carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas emission linked to the warming of the planet. The presence of this gas in the Earth’s atmosphere results in what is known as the greenhouse effect.
Because cars produce so much carbon dioxide, the most effective way to reduce emissions is to reduce how often you drive. Next time you need to go somewhere, try finding alternate methods of transportation.
If you live in a place where walking or riding a bike is an option, those can be great ways to get around! Exercise builds muscles, boosts endurance, gives you endorphins, and clears your mind. However, if you don’t have those options, you can still reduce your driving by taking the bus or carpooling.
Plant Trees
Trees provide a lot of benefits both to the planet and to us as humans! They provide oxygen, improve air quality, preserve soil, and support wildlife.
Trees clean the air and water around us, which is good for our health. Plus, they provide shade, which is especially important in areas with a lot of pavement because pavement absorbs heat. Shade also helps us conserve energy, since people in cool, shaded areas don’t have to use as much air conditioning.
Though you won’t see immediate results from planting a tree, the long-term benefits will be tremendous. You can watch your tree grow by regularly returning to where you planted it. It may start small, but eventually, it will grow into a beautiful natural landmark that contributes to the ecosystem and the planet.
Recycle
Recycling is one of the best and easiest ways to help the planet! It prevents pollution, keeps trash out of landfills, and saves resources by reducing our need for new raw materials.
Recycling also conserves energy because it takes less energy to produce goods using recycled materials than it does to use raw materials. When you recycle, you allow the recycled items to be turned back into raw materials that will be used to manufacture new products.
You can also help the planet by buying products that have been made using recycled materials. Next time you want to buy something, do a quick search beforehand to see what kind of materials the product can be made of. You can even take your own used materials and turn them into something new! If you need a little inspiration, check out this art project where we reuse plastic bottles to create plastic flowers.
Vote
If you’re 18 or older, voting in elections allows YOU to have your voice heard! Voting is a critical part of our democracy.
Before you cast your ballot, research the candidates and propositions. If you want to help protect the planet, you can vote for candidates who have promised to fight for a cleaner future. If you aren’t eligible to vote, you can still encourage others to do so, and you can make sure everyone you know who’s eligible to vote is registered.
Register to vote at vote.org.
Did you know one in four teens has engaged in climate-related activism? Even if you aren’t eligible to vote, you can still participate in a walkout, attend a rally, or write to a public official. Your opinion matters, and there are many ways to make your voice on this issue heard!
Earth Day is an important holiday dedicated to raising awareness of the need to take care of Earth’s resources. Celebrate Earth Day by joining the movement to protect the planet! You can’t save the Earth by yourself, but there are a lot of ways you can help.
