5 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day
Earth Day in the United States is on Friday, April 22 this year, and people will be celebrating worldwide. Some nations will celebrate on different days, but for all the same reasons: to raise awareness about pollution and ways to go green for a better environment.
Why Do We Celebrate Earth Day?
On April 22, 1970, people celebrated the first Earth Day in response to public outcry over several incidents that caught national attention from the media. Founder Gaylord Nelson, a former Wisconsin Governor and then U.S. Senator, organized the event to bring awareness to environmental issues.
At the time, only about 10% of the country’s citizens participated in the event. Today, Earth Day is the world’s biggest environmental movement celebrated by over one billion people each year.
5 Earth Day Celebration Ideas
Wondering how you can take part and make a difference? Here is how you can celebrate Earth Day this year:
1. Reduce Energy Consumption
You can do several things around your home to reduce energy consumption. From swapping lightbulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs and cleaning the coils in your refrigerator to replacing filters in your appliances and HVAC systems, these are all easy ways to give back to the environment. You can even empty lint from your dryer vents and vacuum out the vent regularly, too!
The list goes on. If you want to do more, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes a list of the ways you can reduce energy consumption in your home.
You can also schedule an energy audit to see how to reduce energy waste. Plus, EnergyStar offers an energy consumption calculator you can use to determine ways to improve energy efficiency around the house.
2. Conserve Water Usage
Reducing water usage is a pretty easy way to contribute to the planet this Earth Day. However, if you want to go all-out, you can conserve water and energy by draining your water heater regularly to remove sediment. You can also schedule professional maintenance annually and wrap your tank in an insulating blanket. By reducing the energy needed to heat the water, you lower the time the water is left running to reach desired temperatures.
However, if you want to go the more simple route, the EPA offers a Water Conservation Plan outlining guidelines for reducing water usage. Here are a few easy ways to reduce water usage around your home:
- Turn off the water when brushing your teeth
- Fix leaks promptly
- Use faucet aerators and low flow showerheads
- Install a dual flush toilet
- Collect rainwater for outdoor watering
- Monitor water usage
- And much more
3. Install Dimmer Switches and Timers
Along with switching to LED lights, you can also reduce energy consumption by installing dimmer switches and timers on your lights. Not only does it lower energy use, but it also improves the ambiance.
You can set your outdoor lighting to turn on only when needed with timers. That way, you don’t have the lights on before it gets dark and after going to bed. You can also place sensors on your exterior lights.
4. Use Renewable Energy
Renewable energy like wind and solar power reduces reliance on non-renewable resources. You can install solar panels on your roof, even if you live in a place that doesn’t get sun year-round. Did you know the panels can collect UV rays even on cloudy days?
If you can’t install solar panels, contact your energy provider to see if they offer renewable energy certifications (REC) programs. You can also learn more about these programs here.
5. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Known as “the 3 Rs,” this campaign to promote recycling began in the 1970s, around the same time as the beginning of Earth Day celebrations. Although, the government encouraged citizens to recycle during and after World War II. The easiest way to “go green” is by recycling. It takes little effort on your part. Nearly all municipalities around the country offer recycling as part of their waste management services.
Worldwide Earth Day Celebrations
It took 20 years for Earth Day to become the global event it is today. Since 1990, the world has banded together to fight pollution, promote environmental protection, and encourage the “go green” initiative. There is no better time to start making a difference than Earth Day!
Are you looking for ways to celebrate Earth Day? Reach out to EarthDay.Org for information on how to get involved in your local community.
