This year’s Earth Day (April 22, 2021) theme, “Restore Our Earth” evokes enthusiasm towards emerging green technologies, a sense of communal responsibility, and most importantly, a feeling of hope in the age of Covid-19.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>

Here are simple and easy plans to help restore our Earth from Stephanie Moram, Green Living Mentor, and CEO and Founder of Good Girl Gone Green.

Organize a walk to clean up your neighborhood, area park, or parking lot. This is a great activity to do with kids to learn to work together and become environmental stewards.

Bring your own utensils somewhere you’d be using plastic—or bring containers for leftovers. Help cut down on plastic waste from single use items.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>

Plan to replace one everyday item with a reusable alternative. For example, replace plastic Ziploc<sup>TM </sup>bags with reusable bags and plastic disposable water bottles with trendy reusable ones.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>

Eliminate excess trash by reusing something like a glass jar as a take-along salad container or to-go cup for cold brew coffee or tea. Find new uses for items that you would normally recycle or throw away.

Plant an herb garden for your kitchen. Support cleaner air quality through house plants.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>

Support your local stores, farms, and restaurants and bring reusables with you. Traveling locally for needs and wants reduces emissions and encourages sustainability.

Open your windows as much as you can to get fresh air! Enjoy the physical and mental benefits of fresh air and become more inspired to protect air quality.

Other resources for additional information:

www.earthday.org

www.earthdayinitiative.org

www.almanac.com