Easy Earth Day Ideas
Earth Day is April 22nd. Unless you are actively involved in environmental concerns or you have or work with children, you might not have realized it. I feel like it’s definitely one of those days that’s talked about in schools and then is on the calender—but otherwise, is not part of the wider culture. There’s no specific Earth Day decorations or food. It’s not in stores or in shows. Which makes sense; in its nature, Earth Day is non-materialistic.
Founded in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, Earth Day was originally aimed at university students. A growing concern for the environment was evident. Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring had been out for nearly a decade, published in 1962. Still, it seemed to be a kind of “underground” movement, not in everyone’s consciousness. On the first Earth Day, nearly ten percent of the population of the United States turned out for some sort of environmental demonstration. Their voices were heard and the EPA was created by Richard Nixon a few months later, advocating for laws that protected the earth, animals, water, and air.
Though we’ve come a long way since the creation of Earth Day, we still have work to do to keep the environment a focus of our attention. Here are some easy ideas about what you could do this year:
Neighborhood Cleanup
Grab some gloves or a garbage-grabber and a garbage bag and head around town. Invite a few friends to join, bring your family along, recruit the whole neighborhood, or go by yourself. Take before and after pictures to really see the difference!
Plant a Garden
What better way to think about the earth than to dig in it?
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Buy a Reusable Water Bottle
Water bottles come in so many varieties. Your favorite color, from small to extra-large. You can get bottles with water filters built right in or with fruit-infusers. You can get double-insulated bottles so you can keep hot beverages hot and cold beverages cold. They come with straws, handles, pop-tops, you name it. B.G. loves her water bottle and loves to make sure she has it with her when she goes “side.” (Her term for outside.)
Anyway, it doesn’t have to be extravagant to be meaningful. Do something to mark the day (or the days near it, if that fits your schedule better!). The point is to turn your consciousness to the environment, even just for one day.
Thanks for reading!
💜
Laura
