How can we make Earth Day count?

This Saturday 22nd April, it is Earth Day, a day to show support for environmental protection, but how can we make Earth Day count?

I’ve been thinking about Earth Day a lot recently, whether you believe in climate change or not, protecting our planet and striving to do the best for it can only be a force for good. So what does that mean for all of us and how can we make this day count? The theme for this year is ‘Invest in our planet, protect our future’ and to me this speaks of taking positive actions which can help our natural world to thrive.

Actions we can take

If you’ve followed us for a while, you’ll know that here at Eco-Able, we’re all about supporting small changes, small actions and achievable goals in doing our bit for the planet. Whether that’s using reusables or supporting nature in small ways, then we’re all for it. I’ve come up with a list of things that we can all do to support our planet, without a huge price tag or lots of effort. I know that when life is busy, we need to keep things simple. So if you’re keen to do something this Earth Day, then these are some tangible things you can do right now to celebrate this day for now and the future.

• Pop some water and seeds out for the birds
• Plant some nature friendly seeds – natural wildflowers, even in pots will encourage and support our insect world
• Pick up litter – if you see it, pick it up, on your way to school, college or work
• Learn about recyclable materials – it’s great to have more knowledge about where things end up
• Recycle – pop your plastics and tins in the right places, it’s a start
• Use up foods wherever you can, cook up slightly soggy vegetables and make into a soup or a sauce
• Set yourself a target of one reusable that you take everywhere with you, whether that’s your coffee cup or shopping bags
• Eat seasonally – buy local produce that grows naturally in Spring
• With the weather improving maybe set yourself a goal of walking or cycling a bit more, get off the bus one stop earlier or park the car slightly further away
• Consider reducing your water usage – can you remember to turn off the tap when brushing your teeth?
• Reduce your energy – turn off lights and appliances you’re not using
• Talk about the small changes you’re making – share your ideas and swaps with others
• No spend – can you go without buying new clothes for a week or so, have a sort out of what you already have and see if you really need that new summer outfit!
• Get outdoors – try to connect with the outside world where you can
• Spend less time on your phone and computer! Switch them off and read a book, do some gardening, make something or just hang out with your friends, gadget free.
• Get involved with community projects – whether that’s creating outdoor spaces for communities to enjoy, helping to fix things, swapping clothes, sharing recipe ideas or whatever it is that you can support your local communities in reducing waste, protecting outdoor spaces and taking care of where we live – these are all great things to do to make a difference.

How will you make Earth Day count?

I’m sure you can all think of loads more things we can all do to connect back to nature and make Earth Day more meaningful. I like to think of it as a time to celebrate all that this incredible planet has to offer, from mountains to oceans, snow to sunshine, bees to lions, there are so many reasons to want to do more to protect it and to appreciate all it has to offer.