The first Earth Day was held in 1970. Now Earth Day is celebrated every year by more than a billion people in 192 countries around the world.
Our planet is a breathing, living organism. We are using up our planet’s natural resources at an alarming rate. We need to stop all wasteful behaviors, and take care of our planet.
Here are 5 disturbing facts:
The average American throws away approximately 185 lbs. of plastic per year.
Over 75 percent of waste is recyclable, but we only recycle about 30 percent of it.
The average American household uses between 80-100 gallons of water per day.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American produces about 4.4 pounds of garbage a day.
Americans make up only 5% of the world's population and yet consume 20% of its energy.
We can all do our part to make a change in those alarming numbers. Here are some ways we can all help our planet beginning today.
Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose:
Donate gently used household items and clothing to your favorite thrift center.
Reuse note paper by using the second side.
Ask for e-receipts instead of paper receipts at your local shops.
Cut down on paper mail. Pay your bills online.
Use your own canvas bags when you go grocery shopping.
Recycle glass, metal, paper, and plastic at your local recycling center.
Avoid buying and using plastic and single use items. Opt instead for more
eco-friendly items such as glass water bottles, cloth napkins, and stainless
steel lunch boxes.
Buy items made from recycled materials whenever possible.
Save energy:
Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
Turn down the heat a few degrees in the winter and wear a comfy sweater.
Turn up the A/C a few degrees in the summer, use fans, and wear cooler clothing.
Get an energy audit from your electric company to see if your house is totally
energy efficient.
Plug up all spaces/cracks under and around all external doors and windows
where the heat and A/C may be escaping.
Line dry your clothes instead of using the dryer.
Use cold water in the washer instead of hot.
Save water:
Turn off the water while brushing your teeth.
Turn off the water while shampooing your hair.
Take short showers instead of long baths.
Don’t dump toxic waste down the toilet such as paints, medicines, and cleaning
supplies that will contaminate our water supply.
Repair drippy faucets and running toilets.
Install a water-saving toilet.
Save fuel:
Ride a bike or walk whenever and wherever you can.
Take the bus or subway in your town.
Carpool with friends.
When planning your day, batch your errands into one trip and save gas.
When shopping for a new car, consider purchasing a smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicle.
Check your tire pressure for better miles per gallon.
What can you do this Earth Day to make a difference? One thing you can do beginning today, is to become more eco-friendly. Change your habits. Become less wasteful. Practice conservation. Support industries that are working toward being more environmentally responsible. Begin using more eco-friendly products. Two online shops I recommend are Buygreen.com and TheUltimateGreenStore.com. They have everything you will need for you and your family.
Earth Day is not only in April, it is every day of the year. We must protect our environment for a better future for ourselves, our children, and for generations to come.
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