Article By Alexis Leonard
The world has celebrated Earth Day every April 22nd for over 50 years. It is important to celebrate Earth Day because it recognizes the harm humans can cause while showing the massive amounts of support for protecting Earth and the environment.
For us, Every Day is Earth Day. Protecting our planet takes more than just one day per year. Here are multiple ways you can invest your time and money in our planet this Earth Day.
This year, the theme for Earth Day is “Invest in our Planet” and there are several ways on how you can invest in our planet and in your own health.
MONEY INVESTMENTS
Ditch single-use plastics: Invest in Reusables
Investing in reusable bags, straws, utensils, and bottles is a great way to invest in our planet. This decreases the amount of plastic that ends up in our environment and oceans and saves you money by not having to continuously buy single-use versions of these objects.
Eat less meat
Raising animals for food is inefficient and wasteful in large part because animals each much more food than they produce. Plant-based foods better feed the world by providing an abundant source of nutritious food by using far fewer natural resources and creating far less pollution and global warming.
Practice sustainable fashion
While there are many parts to practicing sustainable fashion, some simple steps are to not buy any new clothes but rather reuse what you have or buy at local thrift stores. If you do need some new items, buy from sustainable brands, and invest in higher quality pieces that will last you longer. Take this sustainable fashion quiz to see how much you know about what’s in your closet. https://www.earthday.org/sustainable-fashion-quiz/
Invest in sustainable companies
If you are into investing your money in general, consider investing in sustainable companies who are making choices to take care of our earth. You have the power to purchase from and invest in companies who want to make a difference.
Calculate your FoodprintA Foodprint measures the environmental impacts associated with the growing, producing, transporting and storing of food. Try a foodprint calculator to find out exactly how your meals affect our planet. https://www.earthday.org/foodprints-calculators/
TIME INVESTMENTS
Pick up trash while you are out
If you are frequently outdoors walking, jogging, or running, why not pick up some trash along the way? This action, many times referred to as plogging, may seem small but makes a difference in your community.
Calculate your plastic consumption
Some of you may be surprised at how much plastic you use. Having personal awareness of this can help you begin your journey of reducing plastic usage and setting attainable goals for yourself.
Grow an organic garden
Gardening helps reduce air pollution, increases oxygen, reduces our carbon footprint, protects wildlife, and reduces the size of landfills. Deep and personal connections to nature are what will lead us to long-term changes we need to protect our planet.
Take pledge 2050 to Quit Plastic
By 2050, there will be more plastic in our ocean than fish. The time is now to quit plastic. Take the pledge, enter to win a free t-shirt, and learn how we can save the planet, together. https://pledge2050.org/
To learn more about how you can take action this earth day and every day, visit the link below: https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-tips/
There is no better time than NOW to invest in our planet. How will you? Share with us on Instagram and Twitter @footprintus.foundation
