Today we are going to take a look at some things your family can do to celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd. In our next post, we will explore options for ways that businesses can participate in Earth Day.
What is Earth Day?
The first Earth Day was started by Senator Gaylord Nelson and celebrated on April 22nd, 1970 in San Francisco CA. Establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) followed during that same year. The concept of Earth Day went international in 1990 and now celebrations are coordinated by the Earth Day Network in over 175 countries.
What is Special About this Year?
In recognition of the power of millions of individual actions, Earth Day 2011 will be organized around A Billion Acts of Green®: Personal, organizational and corporate pledges to live and act sustainably. The goal is to register one billion actions in advance of the Earth Summit in Rio in 2012. You can learn more about this initiative at http://www.earthday.org.
How Can Your Family Make a Difference?
Earth Day is a day to reflect on our planet, our environment, our resources and what we can do to help keep them healthy for generations to come. There are so many simple things that families can do to lessen their impact on the environment on Earth Day and throughout the year.
A few ideas are:
•Buy local produce in season. Take a trip to a farmer’s market. Children are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables if they help pick them out. Better yet – plant your own garden!
•Help clean up your favorite park, beach, or neighborhood. Talk about the importance of not littering, pouring things into storm water drains, or leaving pet waste on the ground.
•Change from incandescent to compact fluorescent light bulbs now. It will soon be required.
•Conserve water by taking showers versus baths, installing low flush toilets, and planting native species shrubs and flowers that are more tolerant of dry conditions.
•Reduce the amount of time driving in your car. Walk or ride bikes for neighborhood errands. Carpool when you can. Consider parking your car and taking the bus occasionally.
•Avoid plastic shopping bags – carry and use canvas shopping bags. Remember to take them every time you shop and not just to the grocery store. Buy in bulk or choose items with reduced packaging when possible.
•Unplug appliances when they are not in use – coffee makers, toasters, phone chargers, hair dryers, etc. all continue to consume energy simply by being plugged in.
•Wash clothes in cold water.
•Make an effort to significantly impact your family’s waste this year. Reducing your consumption, recycling more, and composting are easy ways to get a big jump start.
If you are really motivated, check out this family who is striving for zero waste:
http://earth911.com/news/2011/04/13/zero-waste-johnson-family/
Your family can probably come up with many more ways to celebrate Earth Day every day!
Air Matters LLC has performed mold testing services in the Raleigh NC area since 2002. The owner, Renee D. Ward, has over 25 years of safety and environmental experience and holds both her Bachelors and Masters degrees in engineering. Renee is also a member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association and the Indoor Air Quality Association. You may contact Air Matters at (919) 961-2221 or info@AirMattersMoldTesting.com.
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