Earth Day honors the achievements of the environmental movement and raises awareness of the need to protect Earth’s natural resources for future generations. First celebrated on April 22, 1970, Earth Day now includes a wide range of annual events coordinated globally to include one billion people in more than 193 countries.
The idea was born in 1969 when U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson witnessed the effects of a massive oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara, California. He called to action all Americans to take a stand for the environment that resulted organized protests for a healthy sustainable Earth.
The social and cultural movements of the ‘70s are rising again today. Digital and social media are bringing conversations and mobilizations to a global audience uniting a concerned citizenry to join together and take on one of the greatest challenges mankind has ever faced.
Here are 10 Ways to Honor Earth Day Every Day
1. Follow the three Rs. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle to save natural resources, energy and money...and cut down on waste sent to landfills.
2. Conserve energy. Turn off lights and electronics when not in use. Use a programmable thermostat and change air filters regularly.
3. Reduce paper waste. Think twice before printing documents. Use online payment options to avoid paper bills.
4. Recycle your electronics. Bring your old and unused computers, tablets, phones, etc., to retail outlets, manufacturers and local government agencies that accept items for free recycling.
5. Give your car a break. Walk, bike, carpool or take public transportation periodically to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
6. Turn off the tap. Turn off the water when it’s not needed for brushing your teeth, washing dishes and taking a shower.
7. Replace your bulbs. Use LED bulbs that save money in the long run and use up 75 percent less energy and last up to 25 times longer than incandescent lighting.
8. Use your own grocery bags. Bring your own reusable bags or carry a backpack to avoid one-time bag usage at the grocery store.
9. Support local businesses. Buy local produce and other items to reduce shipping distances of everyday necessities.
10. Act local. Get involved in environmental work in your neighborhood to help clean up parks, restore habitats and make your community greener.