March 2008 Make Every Day Earth Day Get Inspired to Create Lasting Positive Change Earth Day is around the corner, and is likely to garner plenty of positive attention, not only in the environmental movement, but among the millions of others who have recently become more interested in going green. Earth Day is indeed a time to celebrate all the inspiring progress that has been made in the past few decades toward restoring and protecting our fragile planet. It is also a time to take stock of what still needs to be done, and to simply revel in the indescribable beauty and bounty of the Earth. Community celebrations, parades, speeches, workshops, concerts and special TV programs are valuable and motivational, but the very best way to make the holiday truly successful and meaningful is to try to live every day as if it were Earth Day. True, we human beings tend to be better at showing up for grand gestures than doing the hard, slow work of enacting change in our daily lives. But going green is probably much easier than you think! Remember, being eco-friendly is a journey, not a destination. Go Greener You've heard it before: transportation accounts for a hefty slice of carbon emissions and resource use. What would you do on Earth Day? Ride a bike, carpool with a friend or take the train. Do what you can and start slow; maybe try alternatives once a week. Eat Healthier Earth Day is often toasted with organic wine, locally sourced snacks and sumptuous vegetarian smorgasbords. Why not incorporate some of this greener, healthier fare into your daily diet? Live Smarter You may have heard news reports of how UPS saves an estimated $600 million a year by eliminating left-hand turns from truck routes (in addition to other streamlining processes). Apply similar ingenuity to your own life. Can you turn down your thermostat and still be comfortable? Can you switch off unused lights and appliances? Take shorter showers? All these actions will help save you money while easing energy use. Recall the 3Rs Many companies and communities sponsor major recycling drives on Earth Day. This should remind you to recycle your own waste. Once you get in the habit, it gets easier. Don't forget to reuse, hand down and trim excess. |
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