Ways to Celebrate Earth Day

Forget Christmas, Easter, Halloween ­– our favorite holiday is clear (and almost here)! Earth Day honors the environment, raises awareness for conservation efforts, and brings together the planet and its people.

The first observed Earth Day was on April 22^nd, 1970. Gaylord Nelson, a senator at the time, is credited. Millions of people congregated nationally to participate in marches and protests, unified by one thing: earth. A combination of festivals, political and academic discussions, and demonstrations were widely received as one of the first times that environmental issues were presented in mass. Since then, the modern environmental movement in America has continued to grow, with each year more individuals and businesses pausing on April 22^nd to recognize the holiday. 

Not sure how to celebrate? Here’s what’s on our agenda for April 22^nd: 

1. Watch the sunrise. Nature is SO neat. Did you know, watching the sunrise has been clinically shown to boost our moods, reduce inflammation, and even help us get a better night’s sleep? Oh, and also, it’s a super gorgeous sight.
2. Eat a balanced, plant-based breakfast (and compost the scraps!). Composting limits greenhouse gas emissions and leaves you with nutrient-rich soil that you can feed back into your environment.
3. Take on environmental stewardship by volunteering with a local charity. Here’s some fun ways you can give back. If you don’t find a charity you feel called to support – start your own effort. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be a full-fledged NGO. Something as simple as a neighborhood trash clean-up can make a big difference.
4. Visit the library! Sharing access and pooling resources limits over-production, creates a shared community, and makes print media more accessible. But just remember, a library is more than books! If reading isn’t your thing, check out the other services offered at your local hub – which often include movie and game rental, tax and financial services, and monthly continued education courses.
5. Go on a hike. Celebrate the good old outdoors with a breath of fresh air. Here’s a great resource if you’re looking for an impressive trail. Just remember – leave no trace!
6. Do a creative DIY. We get that not every climate is conducive to a total outdoor overhaul in April. There are still creative environmental-based DIYs that you can do from the comfort of your house. Clothes mending for instance is a great way to extend the lifespan of your favorite apparel rather than tossing it at the first sign of a rip or hole. NOTES® is another great option for a less technical DIY. NOTES® refillable candles reduce single-use candle waste and are as easy as pouring a bowl of cereal.
7. Evening bike ride. End your busy day with a bike ride. We promise it has the same effect as a windows down sunset car ride, minus the carbon footprint.

You don’t have to wait until Earth Day to celebrate mother nature. At NOTES® we are dedicated to leaving a little less behind every single day. Take these tips and live your best planet-friendly life­ – it’s even more fun than this schedule sounds!