5 Earth Day Activities

These five Earth Day activities are a good way to celebrate the planet we live on and make a small difference on it as well.  None of them take a huge effort, and if enough people do them then they can make a real impact.

1. Plant a tree.  The effect that trees have on our planet can’t be emphasized enough.  They convert carbon dioxide to oxygen and organic material, helping to reduce global warming and making our air breathable.  Without them, we wouldn’t be able to live here.  Go ahead and plant one in your yard.  It’s a great Earth Day activity.
2. Ride your bike.  Don’t drive to where you’re going; walk or ride a bike.  It’s great exercise and it reduces carbon emissions.  If you make this a regular habit, it will have an even greater impact.  Hybrid cars are great and all, but bicycles have no emissions at all.
3. Recycle.  You should be doing this all year long, really.  But if you haven’t been, make Earth Day the day you start.  Take your recyclables to the local recycling center as an Earth Day activity or check with your trash company to see if they offer curbside pickup.
4. Go to your local farmers’ market.  One of the best ways to reduce carbon emissions is by buying locally.  The less distance your food has to travel, the less gas has been used by trucks and cargo ships to get it to you.  Not only that, you’re helping your local economy and hopefully eating a bit better.
5. Spread the word.  Global warming deniers have gotten a lot of traction lately by using bad science and illogical arguments.  That guy you work with that thinks every snowstorm is proof that global warming doesn’t exist?  It’s going to take some serious evidence to convince him otherwise.  Do some research this Earth Day and become better informed.  If you know what you’re talking about, maybe one day he will, too.