How To Celebrate Earth Day

Here in Canada, Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22nd. It is a time to be reminded that we all need to do our part to protect our planet. There are no boundaries when it comes to protecting the earth that we all live on.

There are many ways we can all participate in this day. If we all just did one thing, it would make a difference.

What can I do to celebrate Earth Day, you ask? This year, pick at least one thing from our list. You can make a difference in celebrating Earth Day and help the environment. Many of these suggestions are simple to implement.

Suggestions for Earth Day Celebrations:

- Set up a box for recycling paper. (newspapers, cardboard, printer paper, the list could go on and on) Let everyone in your household know that this box is for recycling paper. This recycled paper can be used to make new products.

- If possible, on April 22nd leave your car at home - walk, bicycle, or take public transit to get to work. Imagine the emissions from cars that would cease if only for one day.

- Reduce the number of times you drive your car this week. Make a list, and make one trip do rather than 5 trips. Every time you drive your car, you are contributing to air pollution.

- If you do have to drive your car, do not let it idle. If you are stopped, turn the car off. Turning your car off will reduce emissions, and may also save you money in gas.

- Replace at least one incandescent light bulb with compact fluorescent bulbs. The bulb will cost you more than a regular bulb, but you will end up using less electricity, and the bulb will last longer.

- Turn off your computer and computer screen when you not using it. Many people leave their computers on all the time. Some shut down the system, but leave the monitor on. On April 22nd, turn them off.

- Start a composting bin, or use a green garbage tin to compost food scraps. You will save garbage going to land fill sites and better yet, you will end up with some great fertilizer for your gardens.

- Turn your thermostat down, or turn your air conditioning down by one degree. It will make a difference and you probably won't even notice the change.

- Organize or participate in a spring clean up - the street you live on, shorelines, a park, a highway.

- Plant a tree, or a shrub. Trees help clean our air.

- Use less water - turn off the water while you are brushing your teeth or shaving; take shorter showers; put drinking water in the fridge to keep it cold rather than running the water; scrape rather than rinsing your dishes for the dishwasher; repair any leaks. If we all used less water, it would benefit our rivers and bays which help keep our environment clean.

So, as you can see, many of these suggestions are easy to implement. Share this list with a friend and see who can implement the most.

Happy Earth Day!