Thanksgiving is celebrated in most parts of the world, where we get together to thank our family and friends. But have you ever considered thanking the planet as well, by celebrating Earth Day? With the increase in global warming, carbon footprint, and climate change, perhaps it’s time to reflect on the things to do on Earth Day.
In this article, you’ll learn everything about how to celebrate Earth Day, and why its celebration is as important as, (if not more important than) any other! So, let us begin by first understanding:
What Is Earth Day? Why Do We Celebrate Earth Day?
Earth Day is an annual event held on April 22 to exhibit support for environmental protection. Ever since it first began in 1970, it has grown to include a diverse range of events coordinated globally by EarthDay.org, involving 1 billion people in over 193 countries. And the official theme for 2022 is “Invest In Our Planet.”
This year marks 52 years of protesting, advocating for change, and volunteering for environmental causes. And now, Earth Day has become all about encouraging people to volunteer for the need of the hour, the benefit of the planet.
When Was Earth Day First Celebrated?
On April 22, 1970, the United States observed the first Earth Day. Earth Day became a global event in 1990, mobilizing 200 million people to promote environmental protection and recycling. Apparently, the first Earth Day had a huge impact. So now, it’s time for you to actively join and be a part of the billions around you to show the planet HOW MUCH YOU CARE!
Ten Ways To Celebrate Earth Day And Give Back To The Planet
With an ever-increasing number of people wanting to do their bit for the environment by shopping sustainably, going vegan, or choosing eco-friendly products, here’s a list of things to do on Earth Day!
1. Plant More Trees For Earth Day
Have you ever considered how planting trees for Earth Day could impact the planet positively? Apart from cooling the surrounding down, plants and trees can help reduce a city’s temperature by up to 10 degrees. Planting more trees not only cleans the air but also provides more oxygen, among a range of other advantages!
You can start planting trees for Earth Day in your own backyard. Many garden centers, such as BloomScape, will deliver plants right to your yard. Or you could even grow your own fruits and vegetables to begin that eco-friendly journey!
2. Opt For Reusable Bags
Once you understand why we celebrate Earth Day, you may want to take steps by going green in your daily life.
Americans use 100 billion plastic bags per year, with production alone requiring approximately 12 million barrels of oil. Not to mention that they take up a lot of landfill space and cause major problems for marine wildlife. So instead, you can celebrate Earth Day at home by getting your hands on some super cute reusable grocery bags. Available almost everywhere, this is one of the best ways to celebrate Earth day, as the bags look super stylish, are multi-purpose, and eco-friendly as well!
3. Buy Produce From The Local Market
If you’ve been looking for things to do on Earth Day, here’s your answer. First, consider purchasing all of your groceries and produce locally. This will help local businesses to grow while also answering your question about how to celebrate Earth Day in the most easily doable way. In addition, since food in supermarkets travels an average of 1,500 miles to reach you, not having to drive to the store will save you money while also reducing your carbon footprint.
4. Thrifting Can Be The Best Thing To Do On Earth Day
Want to buy yourself a new outfit? We’ve got your back with the best ways to celebrate Earth day! The planet will be grateful to you for purchasing everything secondhand, including electronics, furniture, and even clothing, as it doesn’t require the use of new resources. In addition, a Carnegie Melon study found that an “e-commerce model reduces environmental impact with 35% less energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions than what is produced in the traditional retail shopping model.”
So, look into used clothing sites like ThredUP or visit a thrift store like Buffalo Exchange and treat yourself to that outfit you’ve been eyeing! Not only can you buy secondhand, but you can also celebrate Earth Day by donating old clothes to charity or thrift stores.
5. Clean Up That Trash!
We believe it should (obviously) begin from your front yard if you’re wondering how to celebrate Earth Day at home. Cleanups are one of the best ways to connect with the Earth! So, take a walk to your local beach with a trash bag and help clean up any plastic you find along the way. Sadly, you’ll realize that plastic dominates every aspect of our lives. So, as the world comes to terms with its addiction to plastic, you can contribute by getting rid of it while also growing and storing more of your own food. The key is to remember to recycle any plastic that you can.
6. Swap Out Your Kitchenware With Eco-Friendly Products
If you’re wondering how to celebrate Earth Day at home, what if we told you you could do it from your kitchen? It’s time we talk about your kitchen’s cooking and cleaning products and their negative impact on the planet. It’s also time to think about what we eat and what we eat with. Take a look at these 15 eco-friendly kitchen products to replace plastic cutlery and kitchenware with biodegradable alternatives.
7. Try To Reduce The Use Of Animal Products
Thanking the planet can become a whole lot easier if we reduce the use of animal products. With more and more people saying NO to real leather in favor of vegan leather, we know the journey towards an eco-friendly future has begun. After starting with something as simple as planting trees for Earth Day this April, you can also try reducing your meat consumption. This will help improve human health, reduce environmental damage and greenhouse gas emissions, and limit the widespread suffering of farm animals.
8. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle At Home
You definitely saw this one coming, didn’t you? Apart from your front yard, you can find the answer to how to celebrate Earth Day right in your own backyard! With this beginner’s guide, you can compost your waste right in your garden. Buy bulk topsoils, mulch, compost, or use other materials that positively contribute to the planet (and your wallet). This helps to reduce the use of plastic, too. Finally, to feel better about the environment, remember to reuse or recycle your old plastic pots and trays.
9. Avoid Transport, When You Can Do Without It!
One of the best things to do on Earth Day (and for many more months to come) is to avoid using transportation as it has a negative environmental impact. If you can walk, ride your bike, or carpool to get from one place to another, it’s time to do it! The fewer cars on the road, the better for our environment.
10. Think About Your Diet!
When thinking of things to do on Earth Day, food was probably the last on your mind, just like on our list. Unfortunately, every year, roughly one-third of the food we produce goes to waste! Typically, this occurs after the food has been purchased. But, hey, you can help the planet by improving your diet and avoiding food wastage! After all, your ‘footprint,’ the sum of everything that goes into getting your food from the farm to your plate, does matter!
Now that you understand why we celebrate Earth Day, it’s important to always remember that we rely on the planet way more, than the other way around. So, let’s plant as many trees as possible. Let’s walk towards that supermarket with reusable grocery bags. And, let’s join this global campaign to educate people about environmental issues and factors that contribute to environmental degradation. So, let’s get started right away. And let’s commit to keep giving back to Mother Earth!
