Earth Day Every Day!
Celebrate Earth Day every day! Here are just a few ways you can help protect this planet of ours and inspire others to do the same.
Every single time you go to throw something away, take a moment to consider how you could recycle, reduce, or reuse that item. Don't just toss things in the trash.
Be creative! Use that empty oatmeal canister to store fruit or jewelry or socks - but not all at the same time - or make it into a drum!
Recycle everything that you can - newspapers, plastic bottles, tin cans, everything. Check containers to see if they can be recycled and either take them to a local recycling center or, if you have separate trash bins for recyclables and greenery, use them properly and encourage your family and neighbors to do the same.
Bring your own canvas bags to the grocery store and other shops.
Buy locally grown and/or organic foods. After a meal, give those uneaten bread crusts to the creatures outside. I know, I know, you don't want to attract raccoons and such into your yard, but maybe you can feed the ducks at the pond or offer those crumbs to the critters at a local park. If possible, make a compost pile.
Eat at home and you'll save time and money, spend more time with your loved ones, and consume healthier foods. If you have to eat at work or school, pack your food in a reusable lunchbox, and include reusable utensils, plates, and containers.
Get a reusable beverage container and keep it with you. Summer's coming, so it's time to hydrate even more than usual!
When making purchases of any kind, look for items made of recycled and/or organic materials. Try not to buy things with excessive, wasteful packaging. Consider what it is that you're getting. Do you really need things to be individually wrapped?
Before you print something out, think about whether or not you really need to print it. If not, DON'T. Save that ink and that paper. When you do have to use paper, always use both sides, then recycle it when you're done with it.
Walk whenever you can, wherever you can.
Use public transportation whenever you can.
Carpool to and from work, school, and other places.
Make an effort to move more. Take a walk at lunch and/or before or after work, especially if you have a job where you sit all day. Also run, or run-walk, or hike, if you can. Ride a bicycle, a tricycle, a skateboard, a scooter - whatever works for you and runs solely on the power of your own two feet (and arms, and heart, and lungs...) Make it part of your daily routine. If you include friends or family members, you're more likely to meet your goals because you will be challenging and encouraging each other. Whether you are with friends or by yourself, make sure that you have the proper safety equipment and protective gear, like a helmet and knee pads, if necessary, plus that trusty reusable drinking container filled with fresh, cool water, and healthy snacks. If you're going on a big hike or biking an offbeat trail by yourself, please, please make sure someone knows where you are, because I get really worried when I picture you doing that alone.
For those of you unfamiliar with Earth Day, here's a brief history: The United Nations celebrates Earth Day annually on the March equinox, inspired by activist John McConnell in 1969. In 1970, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day as an environmental "teach-in," and it is celebrated annually on April 22nd in the United States and other countries.
Again I say: Earth Day every day!
Related Posts:
The Julie books by Megan McDonald - I highly recommend that you read Julie and the Eagles in your classroom or library and at home with your family!
Readergirlz: Community Challenge: Go Eco - From June 2007
Every single time you go to throw something away, take a moment to consider how you could recycle, reduce, or reuse that item. Don't just toss things in the trash.
Be creative! Use that empty oatmeal canister to store fruit or jewelry or socks - but not all at the same time - or make it into a drum!
Recycle everything that you can - newspapers, plastic bottles, tin cans, everything. Check containers to see if they can be recycled and either take them to a local recycling center or, if you have separate trash bins for recyclables and greenery, use them properly and encourage your family and neighbors to do the same.
Bring your own canvas bags to the grocery store and other shops.
Buy locally grown and/or organic foods. After a meal, give those uneaten bread crusts to the creatures outside. I know, I know, you don't want to attract raccoons and such into your yard, but maybe you can feed the ducks at the pond or offer those crumbs to the critters at a local park. If possible, make a compost pile.
Eat at home and you'll save time and money, spend more time with your loved ones, and consume healthier foods. If you have to eat at work or school, pack your food in a reusable lunchbox, and include reusable utensils, plates, and containers.
Get a reusable beverage container and keep it with you. Summer's coming, so it's time to hydrate even more than usual!
When making purchases of any kind, look for items made of recycled and/or organic materials. Try not to buy things with excessive, wasteful packaging. Consider what it is that you're getting. Do you really need things to be individually wrapped?
Before you print something out, think about whether or not you really need to print it. If not, DON'T. Save that ink and that paper. When you do have to use paper, always use both sides, then recycle it when you're done with it.
Walk whenever you can, wherever you can.
Use public transportation whenever you can.
Carpool to and from work, school, and other places.
Make an effort to move more. Take a walk at lunch and/or before or after work, especially if you have a job where you sit all day. Also run, or run-walk, or hike, if you can. Ride a bicycle, a tricycle, a skateboard, a scooter - whatever works for you and runs solely on the power of your own two feet (and arms, and heart, and lungs...) Make it part of your daily routine. If you include friends or family members, you're more likely to meet your goals because you will be challenging and encouraging each other. Whether you are with friends or by yourself, make sure that you have the proper safety equipment and protective gear, like a helmet and knee pads, if necessary, plus that trusty reusable drinking container filled with fresh, cool water, and healthy snacks. If you're going on a big hike or biking an offbeat trail by yourself, please, please make sure someone knows where you are, because I get really worried when I picture you doing that alone.
For those of you unfamiliar with Earth Day, here's a brief history: The United Nations celebrates Earth Day annually on the March equinox, inspired by activist John McConnell in 1969. In 1970, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day as an environmental "teach-in," and it is celebrated annually on April 22nd in the United States and other countries.
Again I say: Earth Day every day!
Related Posts:
The Julie books by Megan McDonald - I highly recommend that you read Julie and the Eagles in your classroom or library and at home with your family!
Readergirlz: Community Challenge: Go Eco - From June 2007