Earth Day is just around the corner. The event, which is celebrated annually on April 22, focuses on a new theme this year: “Invest In Our Planet.”
What exactly are you going to do this year to help invest in our planet? To help you form a few ideas, we have listed several actions and tips that will help you make a difference, not just on Earth Day, but for every day of the year.
Pick up Trash While You Run
If you are interested in cleaning up the planet one piece of trash at a time, then you should consider joining the Great Global Cleanup®. This worldwide campaign strives to remove billions of pieces of trash from neighborhoods, beaches, rivers, lakes, trails, and parks. The goal is to reduce waste and plastic pollution and improve habitats around the globe. You are more than welcome to click here for additional information.
Switch to Reusable Bags
Did you know that plastic grocery bags are harmful to the planet? Not only can they kill wildlife and harm the environment, but they have a shelf life of around 1,000 years, even though you use them for about 20 minutes or so. Plastic bags also cause headaches for recycling centers, which struggle with the bags continuously getting stuck in machinery. Do your part by removing plastic bags from your life and instead utilize reusable bags. Be sure to build a plan and stick with it.
You might also like: Start Your Day With This Coffee Cake Recipe
Stop Using Pesticides
Pollinators are important to our global food production. Pollinators directly contribute an estimated $235-$577 billion to global food production each year. Without pollinators, many foods that we depend on will become scarce, placing us and our planet at risk.
One of the most important pollinators is bees, which are facing extinction across the globe. In fact, 40 percent of pollinator species are facing extinction. Additionally, a recent study has found that there has been a 76 percent loss of flying insect biomass in the past three decades. The culprits include pesticide use and intensive agriculture practices.
Research has indicated that pesticides, primarily neonicotinoids, are a leading threat to pollinator populations across the world. Neonicotinoids kill insects by attacking their nerve cells. Do your part by ending the use of pesticides to ensure the persistence of crop yields and create healthy ecosystems for the future.
Disclaimer: The stock image is being used for illustrative purposes only, and it is not a direct representation of the business, recipe, or activity listed. Any person depicted in the stock image is a model.