Earth Day Activities

Earth Day is Sunday, April 22, so we’ve gathered together some awesome activities to celebrate our love for the beautiful planet we live on.

This holiday is an international celebration that promotes peace and honors the planet we live on. The idea for Earth Day was first suggested by peace activist John McConnell in 1969 at the conference for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. McConnell believed that humans have an obligation to take care of the earth and to share its resources equally, so he proposed a specific day dedicated to honor these ideals. Now, Earth Day is observed in 192 countries and it is the largest secular holiday in the world. Almost 50 years later, Earth Day has become the largest secular observance in the world, with over one billion people taking action every year with the goal of promoting a healthier Earth.

Take a Hike

Taking a hike is one of the best ways for you to get in tune with the Earth, and truly take in the beauty of the planet we live on. Getting outdoors in the fresh air with the sun on your face is simply good for the soul, and a great way to experience the wonders of our planet. Here are some great trails you can go out and explore in San Diego, but if you can’t make it to one, you’d be surprised how enjoyable simply visiting a local park is! Looking for a hiking destination? Check out SD Entertainer’s list of the Best Hiking Spots in San Diego.

Hug a Tree

One of the important gifts we can contribute to the Earth is giving back to the ecosystem, and there is no better way to do that than planting your very own tree! The underlying idea of Earth Day is to spread awareness of the harmful pollution that is pumped into our atmosphere every day, and by planting a new tree, you are taking an active step in helping reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the air. If everyone on the planet planted a tree on Earth Day, it would remove 27 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.

Donate

While you may not realize the impact clothing manufacturing has on the environment, it actually requires an enormous amount of energy and water, so why not take some time on Earth Day to clean out your closet and donate your old and unused clothes to charity? Most people have at least a few pieces of clothing that are simply collecting dust in your closet or dressers, and local charities are always looking for clothes to give to those in need. Not only will you free up space in your home, you’ll know you made a positive impact on the environment as well as those who receive your donations.

Take Initiative

For those wanting to voice their opinions about the environment to their elected officials, writing a letter to your government representative is a powerful way to let them you know care about your environment. Whether you’re passionate about keeping local water sources clean, reducing the amount of harmful chemicals pumped into the air by businesses, or any problem you can think of, a hand written letter is an important way to show you care.

Start a Garden

If you’ve been wanting to install a home garden, but have never gotten around to doing it, Earth Day is definitely an appropriate day to do so. Gardening can help you learn about the environment and the importance of plant life, plus there’s nothing better than planting your very own vegetables or fruits, and being able to cook a meal with what you’ve grown. Along with it being an enjoyable and fun activity, it also contributes to cleaner air and less erosion in the soil. Plus, it just down right looks good.

Conserve

Electricity is something we take for granted, and oftentimes we absentmindedly leave our lights or forget to unplug devices not even being used. On Earth Day, you could consider going “dark” for a day, by turning off all electronics and non-essential appliances for a day. While it may seem like a small impact in the grand scheme of things, you’ll feel good knowing you contributed to a smaller carbon footprint on Earth Day. Plus, unplugging from our devices will only give you more time to participate in the other activities listed above!