What is Earth Day? 

Earth Day is a worldwide event that occurs annually on April 22. It celebrates the environmental diversity of Earth and highlights ways of protecting our planet.

What Are Some Ways To Help?

(Photo source: Bob Vila) 

1. Plant something

• Trees not only cool things down but also clean the air and give off more oxygen (if you need more convincing, it’s been proven that trees can increase your property value by 15%).
• Another option is to plant your own fruits and veggies which will benefit your health and reduce the amount of fossil fuel emissions by not having to transport the food to stores.

(Photo source: Salon)

2. Rethink your diet

• While we’re on the topic of food, how do we avoid waste, save money, and improve our diet altogether?
• Buy rescued produce or local produce from farmer’s markets. You can also support plant-based and zero-waste cafes/restaurants like Kind Cafe.

(Photo source: City of Vancouver)

3. Ride your bike

• Find transportation alternatives that help reduce your carbon footprint but get you moving. Riding your bike and just taking a walk are two of the best options available. And if you don’t have a bike or don’t know how to ride one, carpool or take public transportation.

(Photo source: SignUpGenius)

4. Let your voice be heard

• Volunteer for cleanups and environmental organizations, email your local representative or sign a petition for something you’d like to see changed. Spread awareness and education about the Earth and what we can do about the climate crisis.
• If you're interested in learning more on how to host a local beach cleanup, check out this guide from EcoWatch!

(Photo source: The Irish Times)

5. Ditch plastic

• It’s been estimated that people use billions of plastic bags a year, and just the production alone for those requires millions of barrels of oil. Not to mention, they take up lots of space in landfills and cause major problems for marine wildlife. Instead, buy some super cute reusable bags to use when you go to the grocery store.

(Photo source: The Georgia Straight)

6. Swap out your kitchen and household products

• Use biodegradable and plastic/chemical-free products. Think reusable “Ziploc” bags, metal straws, and beeswax food wrap.
• Some local companies include Bee Kind Beeswax Wraps, The Soap Dispensary for package-free refills on soaps, cleaners, hygiene and beauty products, and kitchen staples, TruEarth for eco-friendly laundry detergent, and Kilig Candle Co for vegan candles.

(Photo source: The Guardian) 

7. Use a refillable water bottle

• Just because you’re tossing your plastic water bottles into the recycling bin doesn’t mean they're not hurting the environment. Buy a reusable bottle, preferably one that has a filter attached to it, so you’ll be getting fresh water every time.

(Photo source: iStock)

8. Shop smart for clothes

• Want to treat yourself to a new outfit? You can do it in a way that’s environmentally friendly! Check out local thrift stores and garage sales as well as local brands like TenTree who plants 10 trees for every shirt purchased and Vessi for waterproof, vegan footwear.

(Photo source: Toronto Star)

9. Continuous education

• Do your research about our planet and more ways to help it. Look for unbiased articles and thought leaders like @vancouversustainability.

(Photo source: Destination Vancouver)

10. Spend time outside

• Sometimes we can be so caught up in what’s happening online that we forget how much fun it is to be outside. Earth Day is just a reminder of how beautiful and awesome our planet is. Browse for birds, befriend the bees, frolic in the flowers, and trek through the trees. Take in deep breaths of the fresh air and get a peace of mind.

Sources

SPACE.com

Teen Vogue

Tricity News

Almanac

Vancouver Is Awesome

Vancouver Mom