Earth Day isn’t just an item on your calendar. It’s not just a day to plant a tree or switch off a light; it’s a reminder to appreciate our planet and to usher in changes that make every day feel like Earth Day.
This year, we challenge you not to simply ‘celebrate’ Earth Day but to live it year-round.
Understanding Earth Day
Earth Day originated in the United States in 1970 as a day of education around environmental issues, and it’s since become a global phenomenon. Every April 22nd, people from all walks of life come together to honor the planet and advocate for sustainability. It all started when a Wisconsin senator, Gaylord Nelson, witnessed the effects of an oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, and thus he led a university campus-based movement to campaign for greater environmental awareness. Since then, the Earth Day initiative has inspired new policies, legislation, and a birch tree-load of green events and projects. Individual actions around the globe on this day serve to collectively celebrate Earth’s natural wonders with the hope of forging a kinder, greener future.
How to Celebrate Earth Day
Get Outdoors
On Earth Day, an ideal place to start is by stepping out into nature. Organize a community clean-up or simply take a walk in your local park. Earth Day is about connecting with the environment, and what better way than to soak in the fresh air and to highlight the natural beauty Earth provides?
Grow Something
Plant a garden—whether it’s a windowsill herb pot, a backyard vegetable plot, or a community-garden bed. Nothing beats the joy of nurturing a plant and knowing you’re contributing to Earth’s carbon-capture mission. It’s a small reminder of the great partnership we share with our greenery companions.
Ditch the Plastic
Modern-day lifestyles have seen our use of plastic increase exponentially – and since plastic doesn’t break down naturally, it can have a damaging, lasting effect on our environment. On Earth Day, and henceforth, work on reducing your plastic use. Bring your tote bags, straws, and tupperware. Choose products with less plastic packaging, and when you can’t repurpose or recycle, refuse.
Power Down
Lower your electricity usage not just on Earth Day, but daily. This doesn’t have to be a burden—make it a game for your family. Who can have the lowest utility bill? Candle-lit dinners, unplugged entertainment nights, get creative with it!
Ways to Honor Earth Day Every Day
Be a Conscious Consumer
Each purchase you make has a story—a tale of the resources it took and the waste it may become. Be mindful about what you buy. Support sustainable brands that align with your values and look for products with minimal environmental impact. The more we support sustainable, eco-friendly brands, the more likely we are to see other earth-conscious brands emerge, or to see some companies change their approach.
Travel Smart
We’re not saying stay home (though, that helps)—we’re saying, when you do travel, do it with Earth-friendly transport. Bike or walk whenever you can. Carpool, take public transportation, or choose eco-conscious options like electric vehicles. And hey, those carbon offsets are pretty cool, too.
Educate and Advocate
Knowledge is power, and sharing that knowledge is action. Learn more about the environment and its challenges, and then teach others. Advocate for policies that promote sustainability and support organizations that are working to protect our planet. In this way, you become a catalyst for larger, systemic change.
Live a Sustainable Life
This is the pot of gold at the end of the environmental rainbow—creating a lifestyle where the lessons of Earth Day extend to every day! Learn to recycle smarter, waste less, conserve water, eat less meat, unplug, go zero-waste—whatever your capacity, there’s a way to live more sustainably. And the best part? Every eco-friendly ‘stumble’—from composting misfires to water bottles you forgot to refill—is a learning opportunity!
Engage with Nature
Like any relationship, the one with our planet thrives on engagement. Spend time outdoors, travel to natural wonders, and really see the beauty of Earth. It’s hard to realize the weight of environmental threats if you’ve never seen a withering coral reef or a deforested landscape. Make Earth Day a day of learning, and every other day an exploration. In the end, Earth is our common home, and it’s our collective responsibility to care for it. By taking the spirit of Earth Day and integrating it into our daily lives, we can ensure that every day is a day we celebrate Earth—not just with our actions but with our very thoughts and consciousness!
If you’d like to hear more about the history of Earth Day, read our sister article on Zazzle Ideas: “Everything You Want to Know About Earth Day”!
Eoin is a Content Specialist at Zazzle in Cork. He’s recently bought a house with his fiancée, and thus most of his time these days is spent trying to keep the walls from caving in and the wolves from the door. Still, he’s always open to book, game, and movie recommendations, so if you have some, let him know: he’ll add them to a very, very long list.
