Earth Day 2024: 10 activities that can help protect our planet!

Earth Day, or International Mother Earth Day, is an annual event celebrated worldwide to spread awareness and bring people together to protect the environment. It is celebrated annually on April 22 and was first celebrated in 1970, when Senator Gaylord Nelson raised concerns about inhumane environmental conditions. This day reminds us that our planet needs our attention to combat issues such as climate change, increased pollution levels and biodiversity loss.

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Here are 10 activities you can incorporate into your daily routine on the occasion of Earth Day to create change. Remember that every little action counts. By incorporating these practices into your life, you can make a positive difference for the planet.

10 Earth Day activities for a sustainable future

1. Planting trees
   This is the first and most important thing you can do on Earth Day. Trees not only beautify any space, but also help the environment produce oxygen and filter all kinds of pollutants from the air to clean it. It also saves energy, reduces pollution levels and helps combat climate change. So every person must plant a tree for good.
2. Reduce reuse and recycling
   This classic trio remains a powerful strategy to help save the Earth. Reduce the non-biodegradable materials you consume, reuse items where possible, and recycle materials responsibly to conserve natural resources and landfill space.
3. Save energy
   Turn off lights and electronics when not in use, unplug chargers, and consider switching to energy-efficient appliances to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This not only saves you money, but also helps prevent pollution.
4. Educate yourself and spread awareness
   This is another way to help save your planet on Earth Day. Although efforts are being made to raise awareness in institutions and schools, older people must be aware of their actions that lead to environmental damage. Talk to your friends and family about environmental issues and encourage them to adopt sustainable practices.
5. Be water wise
   Be sure to turn off the tap while you brush, shave, or do other work. Take shorter showers, fix leaky faucets and water your lawn sensibly. Also drink filtered tap water instead of bottled water. It will save you a lot of money and also reduce the amount of plastic waste. Remember that every drop counts and a simple action can do wonders.
6. Give up plastic
   People are addicted to plastic; About 1 million people buy plastic drinking bottles every minute around the world and use up to 5 trillion single-use plastic bags every year. So this Earth Day, it’s time to break the cycle and avoid plastic. Start by saying no to plastic grocery bags, buying bottled water or plastic utensils. Instead, use cloth bags and reusable utensils to create a healthier planet.
7. Choose to walk, cycle or use public transport
   Travel by bike, on foot, carpool or use public transport as much as possible, as these are obvious ways to reduce greenhouse gases. This also reduces your carbon footprint and traffic congestion.
8. Eat sustainable food
   Start a small vegetable garden and grow your own fruits and vegetables, or choose food from local farmers who strive to conserve natural resources, reducing your dependence on industrial agriculture and its impact on the environment. Eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains and nuts and less red meat and processed foods can make a difference.
9. Volunteer
   We all need to keep our environment clean because clearing roadside waste is not a job reserved for just a handful of people. So, volunteer for cleanups in your community and pick up, segregate, and clean up roadside trash. It prevents your area from becoming a breeding ground for disease.
10. Try composting
    Collect the banana peels, orange peels and other product residues in the compost bin. This method is one of the many ways in which people can reduce their negative impact on the planet, as it would help reduce the amount of solid waste one produces. In addition, compost is a great natural fertilizer.