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April is the month that we celebrate the Earth. Whether you’re living the zero-waste lifestyle or just getting started, there are many ways that we can show our love to Mother Earth. Before diving into the ways we can celebrate Earth Month or even Earth Day, let’s talk about the history of them!

On April 22, 1970, the first Earth day was held when a US Senator from Wisconsin organized a national demonstration to raise awareness about environmental issues. Rallies took place across the country, and by the end of the year, the US government had created the Environmental Protection Agency. By 1990, Earth Day was an event celebrated by more than 140 countries around the globe. 

While many of us do things on a daily basis that can help lessen the impact on the environment, here are a few things you can do this month! 

Plant a tree. Researchers estimate roughly 15 billion trees in the world are cut down each year. Take the time to plant a tree to help offset this! Trees absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen that we need to breathe. They also help provide food and shelter for numerous animals. Trees can also help reduce stormwater runoff, which in turn helps reduce erosion! We have found that depending on where trees are planted, their shade can even reduce the need for air-conditioning in the hotter months. 

Turn off the lights. There is nothing we love more than opening all of the curtains and blinds to let that natural light in! Electricity, while an amazing thing, definitely is not as clean/green as we would wish. A lot of times it comes from fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, or natural gas) that contribute to climate change. But electricity can also be made from renewable sources like wind, water, the sun, and even elephant dung! No matter where it’s coming from, try conserving electrical energy by using only what you need.

Limit your water usage. It might seem like it’s everywhere, but clean, drinkable water is a limited resource. In fact less than one percent of the water on Earth can be used by humans. (The rest is either too salty or too difficult to access.) Turning off the faucet when you brush your teeth can conserve up to eight gallons of water a day. To help save even more water, challenge yourself to take a shorter shower (but still get clean!).

There are many other ways to celebrate, but these are a great place to start. We would love to hear about how you celebrate Earth Month/Day. Feel free to tag us on social media with pictures!