So unless you have been living under a rock or are one of those crazy fools who hates the planet. (Kidding, not kidding.) Anyway, you may be aware that the planet like most of us has been under a lot of stress lately.

As is true with yourself when going through a difficult time it is important to take a break and show yourself some much-needed self-love. However, how can a planet show itself some self-love? Well if you are looking at the cause of its stress as the life sucking invaders which is the human race then I would imagine some TLC would consist of decreasing the number of invaders. Maybe through mass extinction?

Just a thought.

Any way to avoid an apocalyptic movie turned to reality and harming our precious host any further than we already have I think it is imperative that we do as much as we can to ease the burden.

I have listed some changes you can make over a 24 hour period to help reduce your carbon footprint and conserve Earths precious energy, and I have also listed some longer-term lifestyle changes.

This is not just our home but the home of so many beautiful forms of life, we are so lucky to be able to impact and change things for the better for all of Earths inhabitants.

At the risk of sounding like a total hippy granola earth lover (which I kind of am), I say, let’s make every day Earth Day.

So in the spirit of the upcoming earth day, I bring you this heartfelt post.

Cheers earthlings!

Short Term Impacts

1. Unplug

I understand that if you live in a cold climate you may not be able to part with your heat. However, there is no reason why you, your family or your friends can’t make this a fun adventure. Grab some board games, candles and make a few salads. Even reducing your power usage for the day will help. If you don’t want to unplug for the full day, try one hour!

2. Clean up

Head outside with some garbage bags and gloves. Collect as much garbage as you can in your neighborhood for a full hour.

3. Change up your Transport

If you often drive to work, try taking the bus, walking, biking or carpooling for one full day. Woah!

4. Reuse

How about sending a donation of food or your old clothing to your local drop off?

5. Plant things

Plant a tree, some flowers, a shrub. The greener the better.

6. Go Vegan or Vegetarian for the day

Browse the organic isle at your local grocery store and check out Pinterest for some inspiration.

7. Spread the word

Share info on social media. Have conversations with the people you work with, your friend and family about Earth Day and what you are personally doing to make an impact. Conversation is motivation people!

8. Get close to earth

Head outside and spend some time in nature. Go for a walk, play sports, read a book on a blanket.

9. Donate funds

Send money to an environmental cause.

10. Educate

Check out the numerous documentaries on Netflix, read and learn as much as you can. Watching documentaries and educating myself about the environment has seriously changed my life, I hope it can do the same for you.

Longer term changes

11. Become a conscious consumer.

A few years ago the idea of eating vegan or vegetarian was to me a load of hippy crazy talk. However much has changed for me. It all started with educating myself with all the information that is available out there.

I am not yet a full vegan or vegetarian but I have reduced the amount of dairy and meat I eat considerably. Also when purchasing products I am now more drawn to organic products.

Minimizing and purchasing recycled products is also a key way to become a conscious consumer.

12. Get creative

Reusable bags and bottles are a great start. Also being creative about the items in your home by reusing old clothes as rags, or using old jars to bring salads to work. Use your imagination.

13. Change your transportation

If you can reduce your family vehicles to one vehicle or even no vehicles then you are basically an amazing human! Even walking or biking to work a few times a week is a great way to help out in the long term. Public transportation is also a wonderful option, as mentioned earlier. What you are giving up in convenience the Earth is gaining in health. How lovely!

14. Support Local businesses

Head to your local farmers market, to buy your food. Support local business in every way you can. When products are made, grown and sold locally there is less impact on the environment to get that product to the stores. Fewer transportation costs and a smaller carbon footprint is made. Not to mention local is often the healthier option.

15. No plastic

Make it a rule to use no plastic utensils, cups or other disposable products in your home.

16. Start a herb garden

If you are unable to start a full on veggie garden then try to grow some herbs on your windowsill.

17. Use your clothesline

This is a wonderful way to save on energy, not to mention it will make your clothing smell fresh. If you don’t have a clothesline then try to set one up, even a small line can help make an impact.

18. Buy second hand

Buying second hand is the way to go. In a world where clothing use is determined by the fashion of the season and not the need of the product, it is difficult to say no to shopping altogether. (At least for me.) Buying second hand allows you to still shop without adding to production costs.

19. Go Electronic

E-Bills, E-Tickets, E-Books. You get the picture.

20. Share the knowledge

This is probably the most important thing you can do in the long run. Yes, we need to act but we also need to motivate and educate. Your determination and passion will inspire others to do the same and by keeping the conversation going is an important step in ensuring that every effort goes the distance.

Sometimes when I am thinking of reducing my impact on the environment I feel discouraged. I feel it is too big of a task for just one person to impact. In some ways I know that to be true. However, if we collectively can make one change then bigger businesses, government, and other powers will see that the need for change is evident.

I hope that this Earth day you can try to make one simple change and you can have one conversation. Good luck!

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