Earth Day? What is it? What to do?
Just in case you’re wondering what Earth day is, and what you can do, you should continue reading.
Start by knowing the basics: The date.
On April 22nd of each year, human beings from all around the planet celebrate Earth Day, a regular weekday but with much more appreciation to our Planet (which we tend to treat so unfairly probably all the time). Earth Day goes under the radar for so many of us, and let’s be honest, we all forget its date each year. On Earth Day of 2019, let us make the exception.
5 things to do on Earth Day this year
So this year, we at IVolunteer International ask you, in case you have never had time to celebrate Earth Day, to kindly take an hour or so to perform any action from the following list. They are all manageable, feasible and do not require much time commitment.
In wilderness is the preservation of the world.
— Henry David Thoreau
1. Donate to charity:
As you may or may not know, clothes need much renewable energy to make and are actually harmful to the environment if no responsible measures are taken. For many, shopping is a leisure activity, a way to relieve stress and feel joy. However, we tend to accumulate many pieces that we do not wear and that end up lonely in our closests anyway. So, cleaning out your closet is a great way to give back to Mother Earth. By doing so, you do not only make room to your potential new clothes, but you also allow people in need to enjoy the warmth of any piece you donate without them having to buy one. That way, the business circle of consuming is less accentuated, thus less harm for our Planet.
2. Plant A Tree and actually keep it:
Very obvious, we know, but actually needing to be voiced. The most common celebratory act on Earth Day is probably planting a tree, but do we truly maintain the tree? There is no point in planting a tree if we let it die soon after. Many of us want to enjoy the pride and satisfaction of saying “Oh, I did plant a tree on Earth Day” and we forget that keeping it is harder than planting it. It takes commitment and patience. Think about it as having a pet you need to feed, or a baby in that matter. Small deeds like watering it, and making sure it grasps as much sun as it needs truly make a difference in our lives and that of Earth’s! With this level of pollution nowadays, no matter how many trees we plant and keep, it is never enough.
3. Volunteer for an Environmental Charity:
We had to touch on this and encourage volunteering. If you read our previous article about the vitality of volunteering, then you probably have thoughts about this already. Environmental charities are boring for most youngsters. In fact, nowadays, we know way less about climate change than we do about cars while cars impact climate change. Volunteering for a charity that tackles these issues do not only help our Planet survive longer, but it also gives you a practical insight into the field, without having to go through the theoretical side of it. In doing as such, you will also enable yourself to discover various sides to this cause and learn that you might actually are interested. What a better way to know more, then?
4. Buy Reusable Bags:
Many of us might be doing this already, but many also need to know. First of all, using reusable bags over plastic bags can save money in several areas. Second and most importantly, plastic bags are non-biodegradable. They use crude oil and gas to manufacture which requires more fuels to construct. However, by using a reusable bag, you are not only reducing the amount of non-renewable resources necessary to produce plastic bags but also creating durability. Take the ocean, for example, hundreds of species of whales are disappearing because of the plastic bags that are mistakingly consumed. I am sure you have come across a heartbreaking photo or two of blue whales dead on the shore because of the amount of plastic bags. Enjoy your peace of mind and change to reusable bags.
5. Ride Your Bike:
There is no better way to get back in touch with our Planet than to actually go outdoors and go for a bike ride, maybe even a hike? What we want you to enjoy is some vitamin D, fresh air, and a moment away from cars, toxic gases and unbearable noise. Many do live in the city and don’t have easy access to a lot of green spaces, but that should be no problem. Go to the nearest park, and take a walk. What matters is reconnecting with nature and lowering the use of harmful means of transportation.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtfully committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
— Margaret Mead
There is not much more that needs to be said. We presented you with five ways only, while there are hundreds. It truly is up to you and all of us to preserve our Planet and keep it safe for future generations. We are all aware of the necessity of such a mindset, but we do very little to implement it. I will leave you with this thought: Will we be enjoying what we have today if our grandfathers did not think about the future?
Be responsible, take action, celebreate Earth Day effectively!
