It’s Earth Day today, which means you’ll probably be faced with a dozen or so reads from various websites, specifically suggestions, to-dos, and resolutions for showing your love for the planet. That’s okay—we can never have too many reminders.
“You can’t beat the view.” (Scene from Gravity, 2013)
We’ve always said that the Earth doesn’t need saving from us—ultimately it’s us who’ll bear its fury when it has had enough. Remember, in the face of the massive forces the Earth is capable of unleashing (think flash floods, heat wave, super typhoons, etc.), we are just puny, defenseless mortals. So all these conscientious and well-meaning Earth Day lists are actually for our own benefit and the generations after us.
Without further ado, here’s our humble list of ten things you can do for the planet, and ultimately for yourself and everyone else.
Switch to LED bulbs. The next time your CFL bulb burns out, be sure to replace it with an LED version. LED bulbs are cheaper now than when they first came out in the market, which makes it feasible to retrofit all the light sockets in your home. The cost can still be somewhat high, but over time you’ll reap the benefits of energy savings.
Start a compost. It’s easy, low-tech, diverts garbage from our ever-filling landfills while producing perfect soil that plants love. People often hesitate starting their own compost—they think it’s icky and high-maintenance and honestly, who has the time for it? Not true. If you can dedicate a spot in your yard for a compost heap, then great. If you’re pressed for space, maybe there’s a compost program in your community which you can subscribe to.
Bike. You’ve been meaning to get that dusty rarely-used bike out of the garage for so long. Wait no more. On a fine day, ditch the car and bike to work instead. You’ll save up on gas, you’ll cut down on your carbon footprint, plus it’s a great low-impact exercise. The more people out there on the streets choosing to pedal instead of revving their engines, the more pressure there is for governments to create more bike lanes.
Read a Storybook to Your Kid/s. No, not an E-book, we mean an actual, physical storybook with pages you can turn. We’ve never believed in quieting children by giving them a tablet to play with. A book is so much better, and even better when you’re there to share the experience of reading with them.
Attract the Bees. In some parts of the world, bees are curiously disappearing. That’s a cause for concern because without these industrious winged creatures, few flowers will get pollinated and turn into fruits and vegetables. One way you can help is make your garden as bee-friendly as possible. Plant colorful flowers (bees are attracted to colors) all year round, favor native species of plants, and never use pesticides.
Keep Off Processed Foods. Live healthier by banning processed foods from your diet. Instead opt for organic all-natural produce. You can also start fermenting your foods from now on, such as cabbages (sauerkraut) and milk (yogurt)—the list of foods you can ferment is endless and they’re all beneficial for your digestion and overall health. When you get in the habit of preparing your own meals, you know exactly goes into it, and it leads to a more intimate understanding of the food chain of the earth’s ecosystem.
Say No to Toxic Chemicals. You don’t have to stick to the same brand of cosmetics, toiletries, or home cleaning products forever, especially if they have toxic chemicals in them such as formaldehyde, benzene, parabens, petrolatum, phthalates, etc. Look for natural, organic products for your body and home, which won’t poison our water when poured down the drain.
Buy local. Hold off buying that exotic bag of nuts from that faraway exotic land. There’s probably a local version and variety that’s cheaper and did not have to journey so far just to reach where you are. There are many good reasons for buying locally grown food, but to put it simply it is good for the community, for the environment, and for you as well.
Find New Use for Old Gadgets. Many of us have come to a point where we’ve accumulated old gadgets we don’t use anymore. We can hoard them like souvenirs of the past, or we can retire them gracefully. Most tech companies now have take-back programs that gladly take your old gadgets off your hands and either refurbish them or recycle the various plastic and metal materials appropriately. You can also donate them to charity, sell them online for some quick cash, or even repurpose them in your house.
Talk with a friend. It’s the face-to-face equivalent of retweeting or posting on someone’s wall. We readily share vacation pics or cat pics to our friends, so why not something insightful as well? The next time you’re out dining with a friend, share with them some crazy new project or act you’ve been doing for the environment—be it composting, or bringing your own bag to the grocery, or lobbying a paperless policy at the office. Don’t worry about getting quizzical looks from them. If they see you’re truly passionate about what you’re doing, they just might be inspired eventually.
Of course, don’t just stop at today. Make these a habit from now on. Happy Earth Day, everyone!
