Celebrating Earth Day
Hooray! My favorite holiday is quickly approaching. April 22nd is Earth Day! I don’t know about you, but every year on Earth Day I like to reflect on the beautiful places I’ve been and feel gratitude for all that Mother Earth provides every single day, without asking for anything in return. This past year saw a decrease in CO2 emissions due to the worldwide quarantine, and it was exciting to think that the earth was getting a break it so deserved. However, scientists have found that those numbers are right back to normal now that the world is almost back to normal itself.
Our name, Shared Planet, is a reminder of just that: we share our planet with plants and animals alike. Our company is passionate about combating climate change, protecting endangered animals, and limiting CO2 emissions. We do this through our endangered species partnerships and our sustainable packaging, along with our vegan and cruelty-free product formulas. We only have one home, Earth, and we do everything we can to give back to it.
So, how can you support Planet Earth this year? Check out these 5 easy steps for celebrating Earth Day!
1. Plant a Tree
Though numbers vary, researchers have found that the average amount of trees cut down every year is about 15 billion. Trees don’t just omit oxygen needed for human survival, they are also home to countless insects and animals. They provide shade on hot days and add beauty and serenity wherever they grow. This Earth Day, plant a tree in your neighborhood to help combat deforestation. Deforestation negatively affects ecosystems, weather patterns, wildlife, and even our climate. If you can’t physically plant a tree, join #PlantYourChange. This organization rounds up every one of your purchases to the nearest dollar, using your spare change to purchase and plant trees around the globe.
2. Eat Plant-Based
Our post from World Vegan Day goes into detail about the benefits that eating plant-based has on our planet; namely, that omitting meat from your diet decreases global CO2 emissions and reduces deforestation which is due to land needed for livestock. If a plant-based diet isn’t something you can do 24/7, challenge yourself to go vegan for Earth Day. Trader Joes and Whole Foods provide a list of vegan foods on their websites, or you can hit up HappyCow for vegan restaurants in your area.
3. Ditch your Car
The United States has one of the biggest carbon footprints in the world, with a large portion of that due to our daily use of automobiles. Other countries that rely more heavily on public transportation like trains have been able to keep their CO2 emissions lower, in addition to other environmentally-friendly strategies. This Earth Day, ditch your car in favor of public transportation. Challenge yourself even further by biking, walking, skateboarding, or rollerblading to work! You’ll get a sweat in while knowing you’re giving the earth the break it deserves.
4. Donate
If you can’t do any of the above, you can always put your money where your mouth is. There are many organizations that fight for our planet. Earthday.org is one of them. They work with countries all over the world to provide education, fight climate change, reduce plastic use and pollution, promote conservation, fund research, and much more. Every dollar counts!
3. Create your own Act of Green
Want to get creative? I’m all for it! You can create your own “Act of Green” and register it on EarthDay’s website, adding to the ever-growing list of global acts of kindness. Need more ideas? Check out these 51 ways to give back to the planet.
However you decide to celebrate Earth Day this year, I’m sure it will be just right. Take a moment to go outside, soak up the sun, and feel grateful for all our planet does for us.
Maggie Blehar is a Philadelphia based writer/educator with a Bachelor’s in English and a Master’s in Education. She has been plant-based since 2011 and is always in search of ethical companies to support. She loves traveling, walking her dog, painting, meditation, working for social justice, digging deeper into her zodiac sign, and exploring the Philly vegan scene with friends. Some of her favorite organizations are: Don’t Eat the Homies, Farm Sanctuary, CHNGE, Gentle Barn, and the Equal Justice Initiative. You can find out more about her at www.maggieblehar.com.