Happy Earth Day! Spring is in full bloom and the green carpet rolled out today serves as a reminder of the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability, encouraging us to come together and take action for a healthier planet and brighter future. While eating greener, collecting recyclables and going outside to enjoy the beauty of nature are oftentimes popular Earth Day activities, there are countless ways to celebrate the holiday that can make a difference all year long.
Simple, eco-friendly lifestyle changes can go a long way when it comes to saving the earth and helping people all across the St. Louis region breathe easier. Here are some helpful tips to consider for celebrating Earth Day each and every day to keep the air quality in healthy ranges:
- Avoid idling your vehicle – Idling engines produce thousands of tons of toxic pollution, including air toxins which are known to cause cancer, respiratory and reproductive effects, birth defects and various other health concerns. For every 10 minutes your engine is off, you’ll help to prevent one pound of carbon dioxide from being released into our air, so turn your key and be idle free.
- Ditch disposable plastics – At this very minute, people around the world are buying a million plastic bottles, and most of these bottles will end up in landfills or in the ocean. Not only does the production of plastic bottles contribute significant amounts of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, their litter lingers for years on end. So next time you go for a walk or to the gym, think of Mother Earth and fill up a reusable water bottle. Take green one step further and bring your canvas bag when shopping for groceries, too, to reduce waste and improve air quality.
- Turn off lights and appliances not in use – Computers, tablets and other electrical devices still use electricity when plugged in, even though they may be idle. Once you wrap up working for the day from home or the office, be sure to power down your computer and unplug any unnecessary electronics. Additionally, when you have to leave home, do a walk-through and turn off all lights to reduce emissions, as energy production is a key source of air pollution.
- Volunteer for regular community clean-ups – On Earth Day especially, community groups often organize clean-up actions in parks, alongside area roads, rivers, etc. All you need is a trash bag, pair of work gloves, pokey stick, or a grabber and you’re good to go. But if you’re prevented from taking part in the clean-up, you can still help by spreading the good word or partaking in a future event. Area residents can check out any one of earthday365’s upcoming Environmental Justice Days of Action to do their share for cleaner air close to home.
Now is the perfect opportunity to get involved, celebrate the planet we live on and give back to it to create a better world for generations to come. To learn more about the link between sustainability and air quality, explore our website, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @gatewaycleanair.
