Did you know that Earth Day, celebrated every April 22, is the largest secular observance worldwide, with over 1 billion people participating?
This celebration is a great time to reflect on how we impact the planet as human beings.
It’s also a good opportunity to take steps to protect the environment and promote sustainability.
In this article, I am sharing with you practical and creative ways to celebrate Earth Day.
But first, let’s talk a little about Earth Day.
What is Earth Day?
Earth Day is an annual event that is celebrated on April 22 to raise awareness about environmental issues.
And the goal is to encourage people to take action so we can protect the environment.
Each year, a theme is chosen. Normally, this theme is centred around urgent environmental issues that need action now.
If you want to learn way more about Earth Day, make sure to check out this article.
Recommended Article: Incredible Things About Earth Day You Didn’t Know
Simple Ways To Celebrate Earth Day At Home
1) Unplug for an hour
Turn off all electronics and unplug them. This will help to save energy and help you to reset. Use this time to read a book outside and take some deep breaths.
2) Plant a seed
Why not start growing your own food? It’s great to eat what you grow and grow what you eat. It’s good for you and the planet.
3) Use water wisely
Take shorter showers so you can use less water. Also remember to turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. You can also collect rainwater and use it to water plants.
4) Make your own cleaner
Mix some vinegar, lemon juice and water in a reusable spray bottle and use it to clean instead of harsh chemicals.
5) Go plastic-free for a day
Challenge yourself to avoid single-use plastic for a day. So, avoid plastic bags, bottles, wrappers, and utensils.
6) Upcycle something
This can be as simple as turning your old T-shirt into a cleaning rag in the house or a wash rag for the car. You can also turn a used container into a plant holder or flower pot.
7) Eat a plant-based meal
Try eating a plant-based meal for lunch or dinner. You can prepare this at home to avoid using takeout packaging. Curried chickpeas or lentils are great options.
8) Watch an Eco-Documentary film
This is a good time to learn about the harmful effects of plastic on the ocean. You can also look for YouTube videos that are similar.
9) Share an eco-friendly message
Make a post on social media and share an eco-friendly tip.
Ways To Celebrate Earth Day in Your Local Community
10) Participate in a clean-up
Volunteer to clean up the beach in your community or just your neighbourhood.
11) Organize or Join a Car-Free Day
Take the bus, train or subway instead of driving your car. Or you can carpool with your friends or coworkers.
12) Attend an Earth Day Fair or Celebration Event
Check to find out if there will be any fairs or workshops nearby and make the effort to attend.
13) Support a Local Sustainable Business
Buy from your local farmers or bulk stores in your community.
14) Create a birdhouse
Get together with your neighbours or friends and build or install a birdhouse in your neighbourhood.
15) Plant trees in your neighbourhood
Why not plant trees in your neighbourhood to increase the green space and help protect the environment?
Earth Day Activities for Schools and Children
16) Plant butterfly-friendly flowers
Teachers can work with students to plant butterfly-friendly flowers. This is a good teaching opportunity to educate them about the importance of pollinators.
17) Recycling Race
You can make a game where students sort various items such as plastic, paper and metal into correct bins. You can make it competitive where 2 or 3 students do it at a time. Or you can use a stopwatch for each child.
18) Earth Day Art Projects
Let students express themselves via painting, drawing or even poetry based on the theme for Earth Day
19) Tell a story
Read a story to children about the importance of protecting the Earth.
20) Make Crafts from Recycled items
This is a great time to introduce children to upcycling. Show them how to make crafts from used items.
21) Organize a campus clean-up
Organize a clean-up so that students can pick-up litter around the school campus.
How To Celebrate Earth Day At Work
22) Have a Green Day in the office
Encourage employees to avoid printing and to turn off unnecessary electronics and lights.
23) Donate to Reforestation projects
Collect donations and make a contribution to reforestation projects.
24) Provide Plant-based meals for employees
Many people would like to incorporate more plant-based meals in their diet, but they don’t for several reasons. Why not provide plant-based meals for your employees to try?
25) Host an energy-efficiency workshop
Invite experts to talk to employees about ways to save energy at the office and at home. Introduce them to green home practices that can help them to save energy, resources and money.
26) Plan a mini office clean-out and recycling drive
You and your coworkers can take the time to declutter workspaces. You can also sort the waste using paper, plastic, and metal.
27) Watch an eco documentary
Watch a short eco documentary or Ted Talk during lunch break or after work. If you watch it as a team, you can discuss key points.
28) Start a green space
If it is possible, identify an area outdoors where you can plant a few trees to create a green space. If not, encourage your coworkers to keep a succulent plant on their desk and nurture it regularly.
29) Have an Eco Swap Table
Encourage workers to bring lightly used items that they don’t want anymore. Then, they can swap it for another item that they would find useful. This could be books, pens, reusable containers etc.
How Is Earth Day Celebrated In Other Countries
Have you ever wondered how Earth Day is celebrated in other countries? Let’s look at a few countries and their customs.
India
Their celebration involves large-scale tree planting. They also promote clean energy and sustainable agriculture.
Australia
Earth Day is normally celebrated with a focus on wildlife conservation, especially endangered species like koalas and kangaroos.
South Africa
Their celebration tends to emphasize local environmental issues, such as water scarcity and conservation, especially in drought-prone areas.
Kenya
This country has a strong focus on protecting endangered species like elephants and rhinos. They also have safaris, educational tours, and clean-up efforts around national parks and wildlife reserves.
Thailand
In Thailand, they use Earth Day to remind citizens how important it is to protect their beaches and marine life. So they often organize beach clean-ups and ocean conservation campaigns.
South Korea
This country has a Green Festival, and people come together to promote sustainable living. They promote eco-friendly products, waste reduction programs and discuss green technology.
Takeaway
Earth Day is a great time to take action to protect the environment. But it doesn’t have to end on April 22.
You can incorporate sustainable practices into your day-to-day life. And encourage your friends and family members to do the same.
You can do simple sustainable practices at home or you can get involved in your community.
It can be as simple as bringing a reusable water bottle with you or participating in a beach cleanup.
Why not celebrate Earth Day every day by developing eco-friendly habits?
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