Does your family celebrate Earth Day with any particular event or activity? Do you have a family tradition that celebrates Earth Day? This past Tuesday, April 22nd was Earth Day and there were many events aroudn Minnesota that celebrates our Earth. The activities that surround that day don't have to stop now that Earth Day is over. Maybe you could start a tradition with your family, that celebrates efforts to protect the plants and animals on this earth along with cleaning up the world around you on a regular basis. Taking care of our planet is a continual process that should be a priority to all of us.
The very first Earth Day was on April 22nd, 1970 which is now 43 years ago by Senator Gaylord Nelson. Over 20 million people came together in 1970 to be the largest organized event in history of the United States. The success of the historic day influenced the United States government to create tougher laws to protect our environment. Only one year later in 1971, Earth Day was celebrated internationally with over 141 Nations joining our efforts and continues today. If we want to have a safe environment for our children and the continued generations it is important that we all do our part in taking care of the earth. It doesn’t matter what part of the world you are living, we all can make a difference by taking care of our planet.
You can take care of the earth and show your appreciation of the world we live in by doing any or all of the following ideas. Any way that you can reduce your impact on the environment is helpful. Please feel free to add your family’s efforts on Earth Day in the comments section below this article. I would LOVE to hear what your efforts have been. Here are some ideas for each of us:
-plant trees in your yard (fun to grow a new tree for every child that is born and watch that tree grow as your child does)
-plant your own food in your garden
-reduce, reuse & recycle
-use rechargeable batteries
-pick up trash in your neighborhood
-don’t litter
-learn more about the environment
-have a garage sale to get rid of things you no longer need instead of throwing it away
-re-purpose
-purchase earth friendly cleaning products
-go digital for journaling, photo books, newsletters, mailings, etc.
-“go paperless” for bank statements, bills, etc.
-purchase books and magazines via kindle/Ipad/tablets, etc.
-walk or ride your bike
-exchange regular incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs
-shut the water off when not needed, while brushing teeth, washing your hair, etc.
-turn the heat down on your furnace and water heater
-purchase energy star appliances
-set your refrigerator to temperatures about 40 degrees, give or take a degree or two. Set your freezer to between 0 and 5 degrees
-don’t let your car idle if you will be somewhere for longer than a minute.
-compost
-turn off the lights and appliances while you are not in the room.
-unplug any unused appliances.
-insulate your home
-buy recycled products
-make craft projects with your kids using recycled item such as toilet paper rolls, newspaper, bottles, cans, lids, jars,etc.)
-organize and carry out a clean-up at your school
-make bird feeders with recycled items
-do not throw batteries away
-locate a recycling center in your area and find out what items they will take
-hang clothe to dry
-recycle newspaper
-don’t use bottled water
-take shorter showers
-buy local
-bring your own coffee cup to the coffee shop
-use the computer to look up phone numbers instead of a yearly phone book, call or sign up to not get a phone book and if you have any make sure you recycle them.
-pay bills online
-use rechargeable batteries
