Happy Earth Day

It’s Earth Day today, and everyone is looking for ways to partake in earth-friendly activities and projects to honour the planet we live on. It’s always good to be earth conscious NOT only on Earth Day but it’s important to make a habit of being a GOOD to our planet on a daily basis. This is a moving trend and MANY companies are profiting from this – don’t make this about them but about the earth. For the most part, simple and easy things can be done to make this planet a better, cleaner and safer place to live. Here’s what to do:

Smart Shopping :

• Buy what you need, not what you want”
• Consider renting and borrowing things that are seldom needed
• Buy used items from garage sales and second-hand stores

Transportation Alternatives :

• Walk, cycle, car pool and use public transportation
• When driving, reduce idling and maintain correct tire pressure
• Consider car sharing programs or renting

Food Choices :

• Choose local and organic foods that are in season, and support local food producers
• Eat less meat

At Home :

• Wash full loads of clothes in cold water and hang to air dry

• For summer air conditioning, set your thermostat to 24°C or 25°C
• For winter heating, set your thermostat to 19°C or 20°C
• Install ceiling fans and programmable thermostats

• Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs
• Use aerators on faucets and shower heads
• Weatherstrip windows and doors

• Take short showers instead of baths
• Close water taps while brushing your teeth

• Choose natural, non-toxic cleaning products
• Make simple, natural cleaners with ingredients like vinegar, baking soda and water

Don’t Discard :

• Donate, reuse and recycle items before throwing them into the trash
• Harmful materials like chemicals, batteries, electronics, etc. should be taken to local hazardous waste depots or recyclers

FUN EARTH DAY CRAFTS:

Try getting the kids involved in some fun projects that reuse things around the house and teach them about proper garbage disposal and how some of the things we do impart our environment.

How about making a Papier Mache Globe

Gum Pod Mouse

Pet Rocks

Egg Cup Insects

Egg Carton Bug Mobile

CRAFTS FOR GROWNUPS:

Here are some fun and exciting projects you can do with your recyclables – don’t throw anything away – think of ways how you can reuse them or up-cycle them for other uses.

Recycled Bird Feeder

Magazine holder from a Cereal Box

Project Source here.

On a side note, my new friend Alyssa from Keep it Real is doing an Aurora Shoes giveaway on her blog – which is fantastic by the way.