One day of each year, we all have a special 24 hours of a birthday to specifically celebrate ourselves. We celebrate our accomplishments, how much we’ve grown, and how we’ve gotten one year older. So doesn’t the Earth deserve the same? Since the start of Earth Day in 1970, support for environmental protection is now observed in almost 200 countries. This April 22nd, let’s show the Earth some love. From short term to long term efforts, there are simple ways to be more environmentally friendly and ensure that Colorado stays as colorful as it is today. So how can you get involved? Here’s how to start:

Short-term:

~ Stop using disposable plastic: Simple solution…buy a water bottle! 300 million tons of plastic are produced each year and only about 10% of that is properly recycled. With most of the plastic going right to landfills, chemicals are released, spreading to soil, water, wildlife, and even humans. These dangerous effects can easily be avoided by heading to REI or even Walmart and purchasing a $10 water bottle. Not only can you decorate it with cool stickers from Patagonia and Dutch Bros, but you’re also reducing an insane amount of trash build-up on our Earth. Neat, right?

~ Clean up a park: Get together with a group of friends and head to the local trails — whether it be Ute Valley Park, Garden of the Gods, or even the local playground in your neighborhood. Picking up trash and beautifying our surroundings are a great step to making it become a lifelong habit. Not only that, but it makes being outside more enjoyable for yourself and everyone else too! Beautifying the Earth is one of the simplest things we can do. Whether it be picking up trash or getting a little more creative such as planting a tree or some flowers, adding more color to the world is just as beneficial.

~ Get outside! Enjoy the beautiful outdoors and take advantage of where we live. Go on a hike, read a book on your lawn, play soccer with your friends at the park, do the Incline, or even hike all the way to the top of Pikes Peak. Picnic on Blodgett Peak or take your dogs to the dog park. Do what Earth Day is all about –appreciate the Earth!

Long-term:

~ Join the Climate Petition: Climate change is a rising problem around the world. The concentration of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is being rapidly increased and is getting trapped in the atmosphere, causing our Earth to warm. The United States alone contributes to 22% of world’s carbon emissions! At the UN Climate Change Conference earlier this year, 190+ countries created the Paris Agreement, a global agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Take two minutes or less to add your name to the agreement: http://action.earthday.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=18560

~ Eat less meat: 1/5 of the man-made greenhouse gas emissions world wide come from the meat industry alone. By limiting your meat consumption and joining movements such as Meatless Mondays, we can begin to reduce greenhouse gases. You may ask, how does this small act constitute a big change? When consumers stop buying meat, the demand goes down and therefore production does too. Don’t undermine your ability to start a movement…as long as you stick with it!

~ Start composting: Each year, more than one third of all food produced around the world for human consumption is wasted. Composting is a perfect solution to reduce and reuse! Compost is a compilation of organic materials including leaves, grass clippings, and certain types of food waste; this compost is broken down biologically by microorganisms, bacteria, and insects to become a soil-like product. By recycling our waste, we’re returning nutrients back to the soil that can be used for many purposes, such as planting gardens.

~ Local initiatives: Although there aren’t too many community events going on for Earth Day, there is one!  Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center Earth Day Celebration will be from 9am-3pm on Saturday, April 16, and there’s a free event hosted at Rock Ledge Ranch with lots of exciting activities such as a chemical magic show, American Indian dancers, live animals and presentations from the zoo, nature walks, arts & crafts, and more!

Another nifty thing: Dutch Bros Coffee is giving out $1 drinks (of your choice!) if you bring your own cup or mug, 32 oz or less. Being environmentally conscious has its perks!

Whether you’re out in the sun enjoying one of our 300 days of sunshine, beautifying the Earth, beginning a long-term initiative, or just educating others on what they can do to help (shoutout to myself), you’re participating in giving back. By getting involved and understanding that the smallest actions lead to change, we can ensure that every day is Earth Day! Happy Earth = happy life.

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