Earth Day Ways YOU Can Help Solve the Climate Crisis

Every year on April 22nd, the world celebrates Earth Day. For 24 hours, the world zeroes in on the dangers of climate change and the importance of reducing our carbon footprint. However, as residents of planet Earth, we should observe Earth Day every day and do what we can to solve the climate crisis. After all, there is no planet B.

As climate activists work to influence Congress to pass climate-friendly legislation that hits at the heart of the climate crisis, there are actions individuals can take in the interim to tackle climate change and reduce their carbon footprint.

The first is reducing the use of single plastic. Recently, the call to eliminate single-use plastic, such as bags and straws, has become mainstream as companies and local governments ban the aforementioned items. However, single-use plastics are not just limited to straws and bags; water bottles, produce bags, and shampoo bottles can be swapped out for more eco-friendly alternatives. This includes purchasing reusable water bottles, buying reusable produce bags, and seeking out zero-waste skin and hair care products.

Another way to help solve climate change is to buy local and in-season produce. Shopping local reduces carbon emissions related to transportation and cold storage of fruits and vegetables. Supporting local farmers allows for greater levels of biodiversity versus conventional farming and creates 64% fewer emissions.

In recent years, “meatless mondays” have become all the rage among people looking to help the environment. Eating plant-based once a week can reduce your carbon footprint by eight pounds and make a tremendous impact on the environment. Going vegan one a day each week is the equivalent of taking one car off the road for five weeks and reduces carbon emissions by 8.4%.

Reducing single-use plastic, eating local, and going vegan are great places to start tackling climate change at home. While one vegan meal or locally sourced strawberry won’t end climate change, it is a start.

As Americans wait for Congress to act on climate change, they don’t have to wait in vain. Implementing small incremental climate-friendly actions each day adds up. The smallest steps toward reducing carbon emissions are an enormous help in solving the climate crisis and should not be underestimated.

So let’s extend this year’s Earth Day into earth year and do our part no matter how imperfectly we execute. It is better to have a million people doing their part to solve climate change imperfectly than one person doing it perfectly.