According to the Earth Day Network, on April 22, 1970, 20 million people rallied together to call for greater protections for our planet. At the time, this was 10% of the U.S. population. On this day, the world’s first Earth Day was recognized. On April 22, 2020, we celebrate 50 years a little differently. Cities across the world are participating in digital Earth Day events.
While we’re stuck at home, there are still many ways we can make a difference. Here is a list of 15 easy tips:
- Use environmentally-friendly, non-toxic cleaning products
- Replace inefficient incandescent light bulbs with efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or LEDs
- Donate your old clothes and home goods instead of throwing them out
- Take a shorter shower and use a water-saving showerhead
- Turn off and unplug electronics you’re not using
- Conserve water outdoors by only watering your lawn in the early morning or late at night
- Buy local food to reduce the distance from farm to fork
- Bring reusable bags when you shop
- Change your paper bills to online billing
- Use cloth towels instead of paper ones
- Run your dishwasher only when it’s full to save water and energy
- Stop using disposable plastics, especially single-use plastics like bottles, bags, and straws
- Change your car’s air filter regularly
- Plant a tree or donate a tree for $1 through the Canopy Project.
- Turn off lights when you leave a room
If you’re interested in Earth Day activities to inspire your children or students, Project Learning Tree has a great list here. Click here for a list of fun, planet-inspired arts and crafts.
