50 WAYS TO SAVE OUR planet

The theme for Earth Day 2020 is climate action. While actions like community clean up events won’t be taking place this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the prohibition of gatherings, it’s still possible to celebrate Earth Day on April 22 and beyond.

This is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and the ongoing goal of the annual event is to encourage environmentally friendly actions throughout the year.

Here are 50 ways to take action, including some suggestions from Earth Day Canada (EDC).

1. Eat organic: To preserve the richness of the soil, improve air quality and protect biodiversity and one’s own health. (EDC)

2. Eat local: Local products are fresher, reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions, and make a particularly important gesture of solidarity during this health crisis. (EDC)

3. Reduce food waste: In Canada, 58 per cent of food is thrown away along the food chain. Use up leftovers to make infusions, soups and tasty stews to freeze. (EDC)

4. Eat vegetarian: Livestock is responsible for 14.5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, 63 per cent of deforestation in the Amazon, overconsumption of water, and depletion of soil. Make meatless meals more regularly. (EDC)

5. Make your own household products: Conventional household cleaning products contain chemical components that can be dangerous to health and the environment. (EDC) Note that while vinegar is a disinfectant, it is not effective against COVID-19.

6. Compost, consign, recycle: Your winning trio to reduce your production of waste, after a reduction at source of course. (EDC)

7. Towards zero waste: More and more items are available to help you reduce your consumption of single-use plastics: things like reusable cups, straws, bags, and containers… In these troubled times, it can be a bit more difficult to use them but don’t let that hold you back. Once the situation has returned to normal, they will be valuable assets in your zero-waste approach. (EDC)

8. Up your grocery game: During the coronavirus outbreak, grocery stores are prohibiting the use of reusable bags and bins. Load groceries loose in the cart and unload them into your own bins and bags at your vehicle.

9. Opt for second-hand purchases: Thrift stores, secondhand shops, garage sales… There are plenty of opportunities to buy second-hand. You can also organize exchanges between colleagues or friends. (EDC)

10. Buy less: Purchase only what you need. Walk away when tempted and chances are you’ll decide you could do without whatever it was you thought you wanted. Self-isolation could provide a lesson in the value of consuming less.

11. Recycle Batteries: The best way to keep batteries out of our landfills is to make sure they never get sent there. Find battery recycling tips at call2recylce.ca. (EDC)

12. Cover up: Sunscreen is harmful to aquatic life in our lakes. Wear UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) swim clothing to cover your arms, back and chest and reduce the amount of sunscreen needed by up to half. For exposed skin, choose an oxybenzone-free chemical sunscreen to avoid one chemical that is potentially harmful to the environment.

13. Nail it: Nail polish contains many toxic ingredients. Switch to non-toxic products and use them exclusively for kids who are likely to put their painted nails in their mouth.

14. Make a vegetable garden: Whether you are in the countryside with a large garden or in town with a balcony, it’s time to start growing vegetables and herbs. Also include some flowers for our pollinator friends. (EDC)

15. Cut the clogs: Cooking oil clogs drains, mixing with other waste and causing blockages that can lead to sewer overflows. To dispose of cooking oil and fat, freeze it in a container and scrape it into your green bin once it becomes solid. Containers can also be taken to your municipal waste management site when it opens after the COVID-19 threat passes.

16. Switch to a green energy supplier: Wind, solar, or hydroelectric power, there are several green energy alternatives. Take advantage of this moment of reduced activity to compare offers from different suppliers. (EDC)

17. Replace your light bulbs with low-energy light bulbs: Recyclable and energy efficient, low-energy light bulbs consume 80 per cent less electricity than conventional light bulbs. It’s a small change with a big benefit for the environment. (EDC)

18. Lower your thermostat: Did you know that 19°C is the “thermoneutrality” temperature of the human species? No need to heat above that, especially when you know that, above 20°C, each additional degree increases the heating bill by 7 per cent. So save your money and the environment. (EDC)

19. Too cool: Set the thermostat to 27°C for air conditioning and turn it up higher or turn air conditioning off when you are not at home. Setting the temperature extremely low will not cool the air more quickly.

20. Be a fan: The use of ceiling fans can greatly reduce the need for air conditioning to cool your home and are more energy efficient.

21. Curtains: In the summer, heavy curtains and blinds should be used to block solar heat during the day. In the winter, window coverings help to insulate your home but leave them open during the day for some solar gain.

22. Limit the sending of emails: A typical year of incoming emails would add 136 kg to our carbon footprint, the same as 320km travelled by car. Being careful not to send large attachments and deleting emails regularly are other ways to reduce your digital impact. (EDC)

23. Unsubscribe from newsletters: Sending a standard email produces 10g of CO2. Can you imagine the carbon footprint of a newsletter? Now is the time to sort through and unsubscribe from the ones you never read. (EDC)

24. Use an ethical search engine: The digital world represents four per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. Want a good way to reduce your ecological footprint while continuing to use the Internet? Using an ethical search engine like Ecosia, which finances tree planting. (EDC)

25. Watch fewer online videos: In 2019, watching these videos that are hosted on massive servers around the world generated the equivalent of Spain’s CO2 emissions. Reading a book, creating, cooking, and after COVID-19 physical distancing and isolation rules relax, spending time with your friends and family are among the many opportunities to have fun in a different way. (EDC)

26. Make your own cosmetics: Free of additives or chemicals, homemade cosmetics can be produced at little cost. They also avoid unnecessary packaging and allow you to enjoy making them yourself. (EDC)

27. Make a list: Reduce the number of trips to the grocery store by creating a grocery list that will result in a week’s worth of groceries. Living with restrictions related to COVID-19 has taught us to make outings less frequent. Moving forward, we’ve learned to survive without multiple shopping trips and have reduced greenhouse emissions from our vehicles in the bargain. Even when opting for online shopping with pick-up or delivery, efficiency and planning reduces our carbon footprint.

28. Go native: Use native plants and drought resistant varieties in your garden to save water.

29. Work at home: When it’s safe to be in work environments again, there may be new opportunities to work at home at least some of the time. Reducing commuter traffic is a chance to work for the health of the planet.

30. Go on line: Using a clothesline saves money, helps clothes last longer and gives them a natural fresh scent. An average household’s dryer use creates 1,760 pound of carbon monoxide a year.

31. Bulk up: Reduce the amount of packaging that comes into your home by shopping at bulk food stores and using your own containers.

32. Mind your meds: Never flush medications. The toilet is no place to dispose of expired or unused medications. Take these items back to the pharmacy where they can be disposed of properly and remain out of our water treatment facilities.

33. Prioritize walking: Good for your health, cost-efficient, zero emissions: walking is the means of travel to adopt in your daily life once the pandemic is over. In the meantime, let’s stay at home as much as possible. (EDC)

34. Go cycling: Whether you’re using your own or the services available in your city, a bicycle is an excellent means of transport for those everyday journeys that you want to make quicker than on foot. Please note that, during these exceptional times, it is best to stay home. (EDC)

35. Take public transit: Bus, metro, train, tram… Once the health situation has returned to normal, use public transport rather than your motor vehicle to get around. Emissions reduction is guaranteed. (EDC)

36. Switch to an electric vehicle: More affordable, silent, and ecological, it is appealing for more than one reason. If you are a professional, did you know that Earth Day Canada can assist you in the conversion and acquisition of light electric vehicles thanks to its new Transition Wow program? (EDC)

37. Reduce your air travel: Prior to the cancelation of nonessential travel, the aviation industry accounted for 5–10 per cent of global greenhouse gases. When travel bans are lifted, why not take the train and live the incredible experience of travelling across Canada from east to west with Via Rail, for example? (EDC)

38. Boost birds: Keeping cats indoors saves birds. Predatory felines are among the threats to birds along with loss of habitat, invasive species, pesticides and pollution. Nearly 20 per cent of native bird species are at risk of extinction, according to the Canadian Wildlife Federation.

39. Plant nectar-giving plants to attract pollinators: Melliferous flowers like fragrant lavender, cosmos and coneflower are more nutritious for pollinators because they are rich in nectar and pollen. Often very colourful, they attract bees and other pollinators from further away. (EDC)

40. Spread Mulch: A layer of mulch spread over gardens reduces the need to water and can save hundreds of litres of water each month.

41. Contribute to greening: A filter for the air, a purifier for the water, but also socially beneficial, greening has many advantages, especially in an urban environment. Earth Day Canada can assist groups looking to plant trees through its Tomorrow’s Forest program. If you have the space on your property make tree planting a priority. (EDC)

42. Blown away: Gas powered leaf blowers are a source of noise and air pollution that harm the environment and the user’s health. If you are physically able, use a rake instead and if not, switch to an electric blower.

43. Resist fast fashion: In 2000, 50 billion new garments were made; nearly 20 years later, that figure has doubled, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Most of these end up in landfills or are incinerated. Choose quality clothing that will last and avoid disposable trends.

44. Collect one piece of litter per day: It may not seem like much, but imagine if each of us took advantage of our little walk to pick up a piece of litter from the ground. For those who are more energetic, practice ‘plogging’ (picking up litter while running). You can turn this activity into a fun game with the kids, an idea to keep in mind when the containment measures are lifted. (EDC)

45. Don’t flush: Wastewater treatment centres keep our waterways pollution-free. Products that are alleged to be “flushable” can damage the equipment needed to safely process wastewater. Don’t flush wipes, even those that claims state are flushable as they contain congealed grease that is not sewer-friendly.

46. Load it up: Only run the dishwasher when it’s full to save water and hydro.

47. Sign up: Join an organization that benefits the natural environment like the Bruce Trail Conservancy. Comprising nine Bruce Trail Clubs, they are responsible for maintaining, stewarding and promoting their respective sections of the 900 km long trail that runs from Niagara to Tobermory.

48. Recycle 101: Become a master of the blue box or whatever system your municipality uses for the collection of recyclables. Properly sorted household waste has value.

49. Take a hike: When conservation areas and hiking trails reopen after the pandemic has passed, get back to nature. A personal connection with the natural world makes us more conscious of our impact on the environment and a hike in the woods has both physical and mental health benefits.

50. Take action: Do something green on Earth Day and every day. Find out more at earthday.ca and follow Earth Day Canada on Facebook and Twitter (#EarthDayatHome).