Earth Day has been celebrated on April 22nd since 1970… half a century now. For all the gains we’ve made in technology and knowledge of the impact that we are having on the environment, we are far from friendly to our Earth. In fact, we have become even bigger consumers. A throwaway society.

I feel as if every day should be Earth Day and I know I am not alone in thinking this way. I try to be environmentally conscious but I know there are so many ways that I could do better. We often take the easy way. One thing I do know is that since returning to the workforce I am finding myself lacking in effort I used to put forth. Of course I could make a ton of excuses to justify my lack of effort…especially time constraints. But lets get real folks…if everyone makes excuses for things they don’t do…then nothing gets done.

Earth-friendly isn’t always pretty

Doing things the old fashioned way isn’t necessarily glamorous. Sometimes it’s downright ugly. But that doesn’t mean it’s not the right thing to do even when it doesn’t fit into our pin-able, post-able social media driven society. Not that social media can’t help in our efforts and teach us methods of doing things we might think are out of our reach and definitely outside our comfort zone.

There are plenty of trash to treasure, DIY projects out there. Again I’m not talking about the glamorous ones that are more new product than the original. Take something headed for the trash or even curbside and repurpose it. Look at items through a different eye. It may not be suitable for its original intention any more but that doesn’t mean it can’t still serve a purpose. Old boots become planters, bicycle wheels become a trellis or even garden art.

Clothing and textiles

The clothing and textile industry is even more unfriendly to the Earth than I realized with 15 million tons of textiles hitting the landfill every year. One pair of jeans uses 2000 gals. of water to produce from field to store. Those are crazy numbers!!!

So what can we do about it… Instead of buying new for everything, try shopping at second-hand stores and rummage sales. Give and accept hand-me-downs from friends. Set up a clothing exchange party. Shop our friend’s closet for items to borrow.

Mending clothes is also an option. Darning socks, adding trim to cover a worn cuff or length to children’s clothes, visible mending with a sashiko method or slow stitching. This can add character and life to your clothes.

I could go on and on telling you in great detail things you already know about being kind to Mother Earth. Instead here is a little list of reminders that might jog your memory with boring you into submission. I think often we get bored too easily and need things laid out simply.

Gardening

• Seed saving
• Composting
• Trading plants and seeds with others
• CSA (Community supported agriculture)

Reusable bags

• Many areas have outlawed plastic bags (due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic this has been repealed in many areas due to risk of contamination)
• Keep a stash of bags in your vehicle or near your door
• Purchase at the store or make your own

Less packaging

• Buying in bulk
• Choosing products that are refillable
• Minimal packaging

Programmable Thermostat

• Adjust the temperature in your home while you away
• Keep it lower in the winter and warmer in the summer. You can always adjust the amount of clothing you wear.

Other ideas

• Borrowing or sharing items that are only used a couple times a year
• Passing down used children’s toys, clothing and accessories.
• Fixing broken appliances…many times it’s a cheap fix especially if the appliance is old.
• Doing without…what a novel concept these days

Making changes

If every person made a few small changes in their mindset…heck even one small change and stuck with it…the impact could be profound. Every single day should be Earth Day if we plan to have anything left for future generations.
I am fascinated by the global changes that have happened so quickly during the current COVID-19 crisis due to people and nations in quarantine, factories shut down and the vast majority of people in the US under stay-at-home orders in their respective states. The canals in Venice are clear, fish can be seen swimming through them and even just today I saw a news report of a jellyfish. Air quality is getting better with less industry and less vehicles clogging the roadways each day. Check out this article from the Billings Gazette about how the world is changing with people staying home.
There are countless other ways to make a difference that I haven’t even thought of or touched upon here today. In previous years, I have shared my Earth Day celebration and attempts at living eco-friendly. You can see those here if you had missed them,
Please let me know one way you are honoring Earth day, every day.