Earth Day is April 22, and it’s the perfect day to get out, get involved and make a difference. There’s much to be done, but Earth Day is also a celebration of our blue planet, and in the words of Groucho Marx “if you’re not having fun, you’re doing something wrong.” So if you’re looking for some ideas about what you can do this Earth Day we’ve got you covered, and we’ll even throw in a little levity to boot.
Most people probably already know that one of the most effective ways to cut their carbon footprint is by eating less meat. This is doubly true if you hold the beef, which accounts for some 65% of all animal agriculture greenhouse gas emissions. But going veg may not just be good for the planet – it may also be good for your health. Studies have found that people who ate a healthy plant-based diet were at a lower risk of heart disease, some cancers and type 2 diabetes. And buying local produce and foods can serve to reduce your carbon footprint even more. Just try not to go too far down the farm-to-table rabbit hole.
The convenience of disposable packaging and far-flung landfills can make it easy to ignore the staggering amount of trash our throw-away society produces. But from the problems with recycling to toxic e-waste to plastic filled oceans waste is a serious problem. What can you do? Avoid single-use packaging, carry reusable containers, utensils and bags, and try to consume less in general (do you really need that new hoverboard?). Composting not only diverts organic waste from landfills but can be used to enrich soils. And check it out: why not go green (and save some green) by making some of your own household products? You have nothing to lose but the scent of your old deodorant. For your health!
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