Every year we celebrate Earth Day as an opportunity to get out there in the world that has given us so much and give back a little. For most people, this means picking up trash in their local roads, recycling, and carpooling. But shouldn't we be doing these things every day?
On average, each person produces 4.5 pounds of trash a day. And where does it all go? The answer is actually nowhere. Most of the trash we produce isn't biodegradable (so it won't go back into the earth) and will sit in landfills for long after you're gone. Just because it's out of sight doesn't mean it should be out of your mind.
The way we live are lives now is simply not sustainable. The harsh reality is that we should be taking actions towards protecting our planet every single day. Climate change is real and happening as we speak and if we continue our current practices and habits---our livelihood on Earth will be threatened.
The Earth is truly beautiful, so remember that we take so much from our planet and consider it only equal to give back the same amount. Here's some ways to instill sustainable practices into your own lifestyle.
First, educate yourself. There is nothing more important you can do than searching actual statistics on waste and climate change. This can help you convince a friend to take on more green projects or even be a reminder of the danger we face every time we produce unnecessary waste.
Start with basic, simple ways to give back and make them habits. Keep a bag or small trash can next to your normal trash can for small recyclables, this way recycling is just as easy as throwing something away. Make sure carpooling is a norm and next time you see a piece of trash on the sidewalk, don't let it sit there for an innocent animal to choke on. Don't flush micro beads or chemicals down your drains either as they pollute the oceans, and switch your disposable containers and plastic bags for reusable ones! (Styrofoam is also completely non-biodegradable and often ends up in an animals' mouths so bring your own to-go box to restaurants!) Make sure to practice these small habits every single day!
Finally, pick long term green projects that you enjoy to dedicate your time to. For example, start a garden with the compost from your kitchen or plant trees alongside your roads. These can even spread to your community and have an impact beyond your own home!
Need some inspiration get moving on some of these tips? Go exploring in places that can fill your hearts with an experience that you can only have on this Earth. Last but not least, remember that taking care of our Earth is a full-time job and something that can be enjoyable and integrated into our everyday lives.
