Easy Ways to Celebrate Earth Day (Every Day!)
Earth Day takes place during April each year, and it’s a global moment to support environmental protection and reflect on how we care for our planet. First held in 1970, Earth Day has grown into a worldwide event, with over one billion people participating across 193 countries. The theme for this year is Invest In Our Planet — and what better time to explore simple ways to celebrate Earth Day and make eco conscious changes that last far beyond just one day?
Here are eight easy and effective eco friendly tips for Earth Day that you can carry into your everyday life:
1. Switch to reusables – A Keep Britain Tidy survey found that littering is on the rise and that among the top ten most littered items were drink bottles and cups, and fast food and snack packaging. Litter not only looks unsightly but it causes pollution and harm to wildlife. Switching to reusable coffee cups and drink bottles, reusable bags and reusable snack bags helps conserve resources and minimise waste.
2. Make a bird feeder – In the UK, recent data reveals that bird numbers are declining, with 48% of species affected between 2015 and 2020. Woodland birds have been most impacted due to habitat loss. A fun and fulfilling upcycling project, you can make your own bird feeder from a wide variety of items – including tea cups, used water bottles, tin cans etc. You get to see these beautiful creatures up close, and help them to thrive at the same time. The Woodland Trust have a great how-to guide, available here.
3. Go meatless! – A staggering 75% of the Earth’s agricultural land is used for beef and dairy production or to grow animal feed crops. This has a huge impact on deforestation, biodiversity, and greenhouse gas emissions. One of the most impactful ways to celebrate Earth Day is to try a plant-based diet — even just once a week. The Meatless Mondays campaign is a brilliant starting point, with plenty of tasty recipes to explore.
4. Un-sub from junk mail – Clearing out your inbox can help you feel more organised — and it can be surprisingly good for the planet, too! If everyone deleted just ten unwanted emails, it could save around 39,035 metric tonnes of CO₂e — equivalent to burning 19,356 tonnes of coal. Make time to unsubscribe from junk mail and delete digital clutter.
5. Buy secondhand – Whether it’s clothing, tech, homeware or furniture, shopping secondhand is one of the most accessible eco friendly tips for Earth Day. Support a good cause by purchasing from charity shops; reduce carbon emissions and save resources by reducing the demand for new items; and save perfectly good items from sitting in landfill. You’re likely to snag a few bargains too… my walking shoes were £7 from eBay and worn just once before! And if you do buy new, opt for sustainable brands like UpWest clothing, which is a fantastic way to refresh your wardrobe without contributing to fast fashion’s harmful impacts on the environment.
6. Neighbourhood clean up – Joining a local litter pick is a great way to: meet new people; get some fresh air; feel good about caring for your local area, making it a nicer place for people and animals; prevent harmful items entering our waterways…to name just a few benefits! Visit Surfers Against Sewage or Keep Britain Tidy to find a clean up event near you.
7. Grow some wildflowers – Not only are they beautiful and uplifting to look at, wildflowers help the environment in a variety of ways. Wildflowers and wildflower-rich habitats, such as meadows, provide valuable support for insects and other wildlife, including declining bee populations. Yet since the 1930s, we’ve lost 97% of UK wildflower meadows due to larger-scale, intensive farming and increasing urbanisation. For best results, sow in direct sunlight over bare patches of moist, weed-free soil.
8. Enjoy being in nature – One of the most meaningful ways to celebrate Earth Day is to simply reconnect with nature. It has been shown to have a myriad of benefits for mental health, as spending time outdoors boosts wellbeing, lowers stress, and helps us appreciate the natural world we’re working to protect. Whether it’s a woodland walk, a picnic in the park, or just tending to your garden, enjoy the planet’s beauty — and let that inspire you to protect it.
Looking for more ways to help the planet every day? Head over to www.earthday.org for more inspiration and action ideas.
