Here is a list of 50 Ways to Help Our Planet for Earth Day - and everyday!
Garden
1.
Eliminate or minimize use of herbicides and
pesticides
Pesticides, including insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides, are
designed to kill weeds, insects, rodents, and mold. By definition, these toxic chemicals can be
poisonous to wildlife, pets, people, and especially children. So use best practices in your garden to
reduce or eliminate the need for these chemicals. https://cfpub.epa.gov/npstbx/files/reducewastepesticides.pdf
2.
Reduce use of fertilizers
Plants need fertilizer to grow, but most homeowners use much more than
necessary. When too much fertilizer is
used or when it is applied at the wrong time, rainfall will wash excess
fertilizer out of yards and into our streams and rivers. This fertilizer overload causes severe issues
like algae blooms and dead zones that kills aquatic life. https://elizabethriver.org/reduce-lawn-fertilizers
3.
Reduce storm water runoff
Stormwater runoff – excess rain draining from properties - is a leading
cause of water quality problems. Rainfall or snowmelt from suburban lawns, golf
courses, and paved surfaces picks up and carries away natural and human-made
pollutants, washing them into our waterways and into ground waters. Capturing and keeping more rainwater in your
garden allows it to soak in or evaporate, thus reducing both pollution and
flooding. Learn about projects you can do
to reduce runoff at https://vaswcd.org/vcap
4.
Reduce size of your lawn
There are about 40 million acres of lawns in the U.S., making it the
largest irrigated “crop” in the country.
Americans spend about $30 billion –and countless hours – every year
tending to their lawns. And lawns are
ultimately biological deserts of minimal ecological value. Replacing areas of your lawn with more
plants can yield significant environmental benefits. https://content.yardmap.org/learn/removing-lawn-to-make-way-for-more-habitat/
5.
Grow a vegetable garden
Creating a vegetable garden rather than mowing a lawn has many health
benefits, provides you with the freshest fruits and vegetables, and let’s you
manage what fertilizers and pesticides touch your food. Such gardens can come in many sizes from
balcony container gardens to mini-farms.
https://ext.vt.edu/lawn-garden/home-vegetables.html
6.
Protect existing trees
There is nearly an endless list of benefits from trees including
providing shade, cutting electric bills for cooling, improving air quality,
reducing stormwater runoff, enhancing beauty, providing homes for wildlife,
increasing property values, and even improving mental health and
happiness. Read the “owner’s manual” on
how to keep your trees strong and healthy. https://www.treesaregood.org/treeowner/treeownersmanual
7.
Plant more trees
We need to protect the existing trees and we need to plant more trees. As the proverb says, “The best time to plant
a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” It is also important to pick the right tree
for the right place. Learn more about
selecting trees and proper planting techniques at https://www.arborday.org/trees/tips/
8.
Plant native plants/plant pollinator garden
Your choice of plants is a big factor in how much environmental benefit they
provide. Plants are at the base of the
food web for wildlife and research clearly shows that plants that are native to
an area – plants that co-evolved with local insects – provide dramatically more
wildlife benefit than ornamental plants from distant lands. So go native as much as you can! https://www.yesmagazine.org/environment/2020/02/07/yard-sustainability-native-plants/
9.
Live in harmony with wildlife
As
human populations grow and our cities and towns expand across the landscape, so
have our interactions with wildlife.
Many species have adapted to living alongside people in our suburban and
even urban areas. Hundreds of species
of birds, countless insects from beetles to bees to butterflies, snakes and
lizards, and larger creatures such as foxes and raccoons make their homes and
live their lives in our communities.
With proper care and respect, observing these creatures can enrich all
our lives. https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/habitat/
Home
10.
Become a River Star or Bay Star Home
Make a commitment to be a better steward of the environment, get more
tips on how to use better practices, and in some cases be eligible for
financial support on projects.
https://elizabethriver.org/river-star-homes, http://askhrgreen.org/programs/bay-star-homes/
https://elizabethriver.org/river-star-homes, http://askhrgreen.org/programs/bay-star-homes/
11.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. But Most of All – Reduce.
The average American throws away 4.5 lbs of stuff every single day, 365
days per year. Only a small fraction of
all this stuff ever gets recycled and much of it is not easily recyclable. We’ve all heard of the 3 R’s of Reduce,
Reuse, and Recycle. But perhaps the most
important step is to Reduce first – avoid getting single use products and
packages that you’ll toss almost immediately.
https://www.nrdc.org/stories/reduce-reuse-recycle-most-all-reduce
12.
Donate old items in good condition to thrift
stores
Before you throw away that item, consider whether it has a second life. Is it in good condition? Would it be something you would give to a
friend? If so, consider donating it to a
local thrift store. It can then benefit
the charity, provide a low cost item to someone else in your community, keep it
out of the landfill, and make you feel good!
https://www.today.com/style/what-thrift-stores-want-you-know-you-make-donation-t162979
13.
Share tools and equipment with neighbors rather
than buying your own
Ever need that one tool that one time?
Should you really hop on your favorite e-commerce site and order
it? How about hopping on your local
community group on social media and asking if you can borrow the tool. Odds are someone has it and may be willing to
let you borrow it for the afternoon. https://learn.eartheasy.com/articles/how-to-start-a-neighborhood-tool-share/
14.
Opt out of junk mail
Americans receive millions of tons of junk mail every year. That’s cumulatively, but many may feel they
get that much just themselves. And much
of it goes straight into the recycling bin.
Here are some options for cutting down on how much you get in your
mailbox. https://green.harvard.edu/tools-resources/how/4-tips-reducing-your-junk-mail
15.
Turn off unused lights and switch to LED light
bulbs
Starting with the oldest tip – turn off unused lights – to the newest –
replace light bulbs as they fail with LED bulbs. The price of LED’s has dropped dramatically
over the years, they use 90% less electricity than incandescents, they have no
toxic chemicals, and they practically last forever. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/save-electricity-and-fuel/lighting-choices-save-you-money/led-lighting
16.
Adjust your thermostat
You can save 10% to 15% of your heating and cooling bill by adjusting
your thermostat for at least 8 hours per day.
And heating and cooling costs can easily be more than half of the
average home’s electric bill – usually much more during our hot and humid
summers. https://www.directenergy.com/blog/how-much-can-you-save-by-adjusting-your-thermostat/
17.
Wash full loads of laundry in colder water
Most of the cost – and energy usage – in doing laundry goes to heating
water. Washing in cold water uses 90% less
electricity. Also washing in cold water
gets the clothes just as clean in typical situations and is more gentle on the
clothing. https://www.csmonitor.com/Business/The-Simple-Dollar/2012/0119/Here-s-exactly-how-much-you-ll-save-doing-laundry-in-cold-water
18.
Look for the Energy Star label when buying new
appliances
When you're shopping for appliances or electronics, you have to think both
short term and long term. There is the
cost of buying the appliance but also the cost of operating it year after year,
which is usually much more than the cost to buy it. Looking at the Energy Star label, you can
see how much it will cost to run the product so you can buy the more efficient
products. You’ll save money year after year
and save the planet. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/appliances-and-electronics/shopping-appliances
19.
Winterize your home for winter and summer
savings
“Winterizing” your home actually saves you money both in the winter and
the summer. Taking steps to insulate
your home and seal cracks keeps warm air inside in the winter, but it also
keeps cool air inside in the summer. Both
can result in major cost and energy savings! https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/interior-projects/how-to/g52/winterize-home-tips-energy-461008/
20.
Get a home or workplace energy audit to identify
where you can make the most energy-saving gains
You
can work with Dominion Energy to have a professional do a Home Energy
Assessment of your home and identify more ways to save energy and money. https://domsavings.com/va/rhea/
Shopping/Eating out
21.
Say no to single use plastic bottling – bring
your own reusable bottle or mug
In a nation where almost all Americans (but sadly not all) have access to
clean, safe drinking water, we consume water in single use plastic bottles at
the rate of 100,000 PER MINUTE; 50 billion bottles per year. And 77% of these bottles never ever reach
the recycling center. Be healthier,
save money, save the planet - bring your own water from home! https://gogreentravelgreen.com/bring-water-bottle/
22.
Avoid single use plastic packaging
Our society is drowning in single use plastic items – from plastic bags
to impossible to open “blister” packs, from plastic water bottles to fruit
clamshells. These items will last nearly
forever but are trash after the initial use.
Most are not readily recyclable.
Plastic production from new petroleum resources is projected to increase
by 40% over the next 10 years, and the oil and gas industry is expecting this
to be a major revenue source. Take
action to reverse this trend. https://myplasticfreelife.com/plasticfreeguide/
23.
Shop local
By shopping local you support your local community and reduce
transportation costs. And when buying
locally produced food, such as from farmer markets, you support local
agriculture. https://www.independentwestand.org/what-happens-when-you-shop-local/
24.
Combine online deliveries into a single delivery
Online shopping is convenient. But
having a steady stream of delivery vehicles cruising city streets to drop off
more and more cardboard boxes and bags at your door is certainly not ideal for
reducing waste or pollution. Reduce
your impact by combining your orders and deliveries into as few shipments as
possible, such as by setting an “Amazon Day” https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/online-shopping-carbon-footprint-1.4914942
25.
Go Meatless at least once a week
Livestock operations have significant negative environmental impacts,
from the amount of land and water consumed to the amount of animal waste
produced. Skipping meat once a week can
have a major benefit for the ecosystem. https://www.eatright.org/food/nutrition/vegetarian-and-special-diets/going-meatless-once-a-week
26.
Buy organic and local whenever possible
The USDA Organic certification gives you confidence that it was grown
pesticide-free. Locally grown food helps
local farmers and reduces transportation costs.
Locally grown organic is the best of both worlds. Learn about your food choices and make the best
choices! https://www.food.ee/blog/is-it-better-to-buy-local-or-organic/
27.
Bring your own reusable container for leftovers
at restaurant
Want a do-it-yourself solution to avoid getting those Styrofoam
containers for leftovers when you go to a restaurant? (Remember back when we ate out). Come prepared, bring your own reusable food
storage containers in a small bag and fill them yourself with your
leftovers. https://www.kitchenstewardship.com/monday-mission-pack-reusable-containers-for-restaurant-leftovers/
28.
Buy second hand from thrift stores or friends
Why buy new when there are perfectly good items looking for a new home at
your local thrift store? You avoid the
need to manufacture a new product using raw materials, keep an item out of the
landfill, save money, and likely help a local good cause. http://www.greenandprosperous.com/blog/2017/10/11/how-does-thrift-shopping-help-you-save-the-environment
29.
Buy Less, Live More
Focusing on life’s simple pleasures-
like spending time in nature, being with loved ones, making a difference
to others – can provide more purpose,
belonging and happiness than buying and consuming. https://www.tbd.community/en/a/consumerism-benefits-buying-less
Transport
30.
Bike instead of driving for some of your trips
Choosing your bike over your car has multiple benefits – reducing fuel
use and carbon emissions, saving wear and tear on your vehicle, reducing
traffic congestion, and providing you with exercise. https://biofriendlyplanet.com/green-alternatives/transportation/environmental-reasons-to-start-riding-your-bicycle-more/
31.
Walk instead of driving for short errands
Ever drive from one side of a parking lot to the other? Take the car to go to the post office down
the street? By walking instead of
driving you again reduce pollution from your car and get great exercise. So park that car and get moving! https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/walk-more-drive-less#1
32.
Combine trips to reduce driving
When you do drive, combine several errands in one trip. And plan your route in advance to line up
destinations efficiently and avoid having to backtrack. And a tip from UPS – when planning your trip,
minimize making left turns because they result in more wasted time and fuel. https://afdc.energy.gov/conserve/behavior_techniques.html
33.
Improve your gas mileage by taking care of your
car
There are many easy ways to improve your gas mileage, starting with
making sure your tires are properly inflated and your air filters are
clean. Also go easy on the gas pedal, avoiding
“jack rabbit” starts and driving too fast. https://www.pepboys.com/auto-care/maintenance/improve-your-cars-fuel-efficiency
34.
Make sure your next car has better gas mileage
When
it’s time for a new car, look for one with better gas mileage. https://www.consumerreports.org/fuel-economy-efficiency/the-most-fuel-efficient-cars-best-mpg/
Business
35.
Telecommute
A lot of businesses have been required to practice telecommuting for the
first time this year. If they decide to
retain this option for employees long term, at least some of the time, they can
provide significant environmental benefits to the world. Thousands of cars could be removed from the
road and traffic congestion relieved.
Employers could also save costs on heating and cooling buildings. And employees could save hundreds of hours of
time commuting each year. https://www.lifewire.com/how-telecommuting-is-good-for-the-environment-2378101
36.
Reduce energy consumption
Businesses can also save money by adopting a variety of energy saving
practices, some as simple as making sure unused lights and equipment are
powered down. https://www.dominionenergy.com/home-and-small-business/ways-to-save/energy-saving-tips/energy-saving-tips-at-the-office
37.
Switch to renewal energy providers
Renewable solar and wind energy continue to decline dramatically in cost,
making them competitive with gas powered and even coal powered generation. Business can either install solar and wind
directly or buy via renewal energy contracts. https://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/emily-folk/10-ways-renewable-energy-can-save-businesses-20190208
38.
Establish a workplace recycling program
Businesses often generate large amounts of recyclable materials. To be a good corporate citizen, the first
step for a successful program is a waste audit, including reviewing how to
reduce waste before it happens. For items
you can’t reduce/eliminate or reuse, the next step is setting up a recycling
program. Learn how at https://www.inc.com/guides/2010/04/start-office-recycling-program.html
39.
Reduce waste and improve your company’s
environmental footprint
Reducing waste saves money while conserving both natural resources and
energy – “waste not, want not”. Reducing
your waste is also a practice that provides positive customer public relations
for businesses. More than just
recycling, waste reduction looks for various ways to reduce a company’s
environmental footprint. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/how-your-business-can-cut-costs-by-reducing-wastes
40.
Reduce business travel
Traveling
long distances for business meetings has a major environmental impact, not to
mention being expensive and time consuming.
Sometimes there is nothing that can replace the impact of a face to face
meeting, but with today’s technology a tele- or video conference will often be
sufficient. https://www.trondent.com/sustainable-business-travel/
Advocacy
41.
Never litter – and lend a hand by picking up
litter when you are out and about
Litter happens … whether from carelessness, neglect, irresponsibility, or
mistakes. Make a pledge to never
litter. And when you see litter, pick it
up if you can. Research shows that people
are less likely to litter if an area is already litter free. And discourage the use of single use, disposable
packaging when possible. https://kab.org/goals/end-littering/
42.
Join community cleanups
Many locales have regular cleanups through programs like Adopt-A-Highway,
Adopt-A-Park, The Great American Cleanup, Clean the Bay Day, and the
International Coastal Cleanup. Go out
and lend a hand! http://www.cityofchesapeake.net/government/Boards-Commissions/full-listing/ceic/beautification-cleanups.htm
43.
Follow the Friends of Indian River on Facebook
Get the latest environmental tips and updates from the Friends of Indian River.
Follow us on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofIndianRiver/
https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofIndianRiver/
44.
Volunteer with the Friends of Indian River and other local environmental organizations
We are always looking for volunteers to help on a broad
array of activities. From cleanups to
advocacy, the efforts of volunteers are what makes non-profits effective. Check with our volunteer calendar at http://www.friendsofindianriver.org/p/calendar.html or browse https://www.volunteerhr.org/
45.
Participate in the activities of city boards and
commissions
There are several city boards and commissions, in addition to the CEIC, that
deal with environmentally related issues.
These include the Chesapeake Agricultural Advisory Commission,
Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area (CPBA) Board , Chesapeake Bicycles/Trails
Advisory Committee (BTAC) , and the Stormwater Committee. http://www.cityofchesapeake.net/government/Boards-Commissions/full-listing.htm
46.
Make your voice heard at the Planning Commission
and City Council
The Planning Commission and City Council deal with many land use issues
and overall city policies. The Planning
Commission has public hearings on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. The City Council has public hearings on most
Tuesday evenings.
http://www.cityofchesapeake.net/government/Boards-Commissions/full-listing/11planningcommission.htm
http://www.cityofchesapeake.net/government/council/council_meeting_info.htm
http://www.cityofchesapeake.net/government/Boards-Commissions/full-listing/11planningcommission.htm
http://www.cityofchesapeake.net/government/council/council_meeting_info.htm
47.
Become an environmental and conservation
advocate
As a citizen and a constituent, you have the power to contact your
elected officials at the city, state, and federal level about issues that are
important to you. Tools include
e-mails, letters, in person meetings, comments at public hearings, and even
letters to the editor of local newspapers.
Get more tips on effective communication from this primer https://www.northwestharvest.org/stuff/contentmgr/files/0/38db8067cc634bef7ebcd375bc900d0b/files/yes_we_can_advocacy_tips___liz_jennings_handout.pdf
48.
Share the Knowledge/Be a Good Example
Share what you know and be a good example for others. Model
good behavior and others are more likely to trust you and change their own
behaviors https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/six_ways_to_help_people_change.
49.
Vote
Elections matter. Research the
candidates running for office and support candidates who best support your
goals. And make sure you register and vote. If you can’t get to the polls, make sure you
apply for an absentee ballot. https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation
50.
Go outside, enjoy nature, and bring a friend –
building a love of nature will encourage everyone to protect our Earth
Study
after study shows that getting out in nature improves health and
happiness. And people won’t protect the
natural world around us unless they learn to appreciate it. One lesson we hopefully take from the recent
crisis is that we need more natural areas in our cities. (Please follow physical distancing rules as required).
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/what_happens_when_we_reconnect_with_nature
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/what_happens_when_we_reconnect_with_nature
