Earth Day began in 1970, when millions of Americans took to the streets, their college campuses and public spaces in an effort to raise environmental awareness and start a movement. This April 22nd, we celebrate the 50th Earth Day. Although we aren’t able to take this year’s festivities out to public spaces, we’ve put together a list of ways you can celebrate this important holiday right from the comfort of your own home.
Look for energy-efficient opportunities in your home
Right now is an ideal time to walk around your home and look for ways you can make your home more energy friendly. Switch to LED lighting and energy-efficient appliances; turn down the heat and keep the blinds closed to help keep temperature stable inside; opt for layering up instead of turning up the heat or open a window and let some cool air in instead of turning the AC on. Encourage everyone in your household to turn off lights, appliances and game consoles when they’re not using them. Check your fridge and freezer temperatures and make sure they aren’t lower than they need to be. There are many simple changes we can make in our homes that will result in energy savings. The best part is the Earth will thank you and so will your wallet!
Start a garden
With many of us spending more time indoors, it’s a great time to get outside, enjoy the sun and either start or freshen up your garden. If you don’t have the green thumb for gardening, no worries. Embrace nature in a more literal sense and bring it indoors. From centerpieces for your dinner table to just adding them to rooms like the bathroom or home office, flowers and plants are a great way to freshen up a space, plus they may help improve air quality. If you’re in need of a project, consider building a terrarium and adding it to a space in your home that could use a touch of green. Check out an easy 6-step guide here.
Movies, documentaries & virtual tours
Chances are you’re already spending a lot of time on streaming services. So, for Earth Day, take a break from your reality shows, gather the family and watch some documentaries or a series about nature. With birds, sharks, our planet and National Geographic titles, there’s something for everyone and it’s a great learning tool during these times. Another way you can embrace nature is virtually! Several national parks such as Kanai Fjords National Park in Alaska and Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah offer virtual tours for free, so you can get outdoors without leaving your couch.
Build birdhouse
Earth is home to many creatures, so why not extend yours to your friendly neighborhood birds? Creating a birdhouse is a great project and even kid-friendly, so it’s something you can do over the weekend with the family and keep everyone active and busy. Check out a simple, 7-step guide here.
Get out and appreciate nature
Life can sometimes move fast, which means we don’t always appreciate or see all the beauty this planet brings us. But with life slowing down and more times on our hands, it’s given everyone a new perspective. Use Earth Day as an opportunity to simply get out and appreciate your surroundings. Take a walk through the neighborhood with your dog or go jogging – you might be surprised at all the things you’ve been missing out on every day!
