April 22 is the annual celebration of Earth Day.
For some, this day is a reminder that they should be better at recycling and turning off the lights when they leave a room. For others, it's an incentive to make big changes in their life in order to benefit the planet.
However you choose to protect the Earth, it can seem like a daunting task- as the saying goes, no single snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible.
So when we're talking about global issues on a small scale, where do you even start?
What is Earth Day?
The aim of Earth Day is simple: to protect future generations from the side-effects of global warming. This year the specific focus is on creating better environmental and climate literacy and educating people- both children and adults-on environmental issues.
How Can You Celebrate Earth Day at Home?
There are many ways to celebrate Earth Day. This year, as well as global 'teach-ins', there will be a 'March for Science' which will include speeches with scientists and civic organizers on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Fortunately your home is on the Earth too, and with that in mind here are a few simple ways you can celebrate Earth Day at home that will make a difference.
Clear Out (and recycle) Your Trash
Earth Day offers the perfect opportunity to have a house clearance. De-cluttering your house will not only help you live greener and keep your carbon footprint low, you might even stumble across a long forgotten item that is now worth a lot of money.
Walk (or cycle) to Work
Choosing to cycle or walk to work instead can significantly reduce our carbon footprints (as well as improve our health), as can using public transportation. Obviously this may not be possible for people who aren't able to get to work by any means other than a car. In these circumstances, organizing carpools with friends, family or colleagues is a good way to cut down on your commuting polluting.
Simple everyday activities like recycling and driving to work can have profound effects on our planet. The more people that realize this, and take responsibility for this, the better chance we have for a sustainable future.
