After 52 years of Earth Days, carbon emissions are still rising, plastic waste. is 10 times higher than it was in 1970, and 10,000 acres of rainforest are still being destroyed every day. It’s clear that something isn’t working.
So instead of just sitting in despair that companies relentlessly push us to buy our way out of the climate crisis (spoiler alert: we can’t), here are 10 things we CAN do to make a difference this Earth Day:
Make a low-effort, high-impact environmental switch by changing your electric supplier to a renewable energy option. Chances are, you can do this in 10 minutes or less, and often for comparable rates.
Make a shift in just one or two waste streams in your home— whether that’s switching to reusable shopping bags, ending your takeout coffee habit, or investing in refillable candles.
Use up the extra detergents, soaps, and shampoos hiding out under your kitchen and bathroom cabinet— then try making the switch to a more eco-friendly option, such as bar shampoo or low-waste dishwasher pods and laundry detergent.
Drop an e-mail to a company asking for a sustainable shift— asking for products to contain less plastic packaging is a great place to start! When I’m writing to a company (particularly smaller businesses), I tend to follow a basic script: Something I love about the company + the environmental “ask” for the company. Here’s an example:
“Hi! I recently purchased three of your journals, and have loved the opportunity to document my children’s stories and journal with. my spouse. Your products provide such a wonderful, mindful contribution to others, and I am hopeful that I will have opportunities to gift your journals to others in the future.
I’m writing, however, because I noticed that each of your journals was wrapped in plastic. As more consumers, myself included, are looking to go zero waste (or at a minimum decrease the devastating impact of single use plastic on our environment), I was hoping that your company would consider forgoing the unnecessary plastic wrap altogether— saving you money and better protecting the Earth’s resources, as well as making your products more attractive to eco-conscious consumers.”
Food waste accounts for 24.1% of all landfill waste and 6% of global greenhouse gas emissions. That’s right: One of the easiest ways to combat the climate– and waste– crisis is sitting right in our pantry. At least, that is, until we forget about it and it grows some fuzzy friends. Here are some of my suggestions for reducing food waste. For any unavoidable food waste, from banana peels to coffee grounds, try composting. You can easily set up a backyard composting system, or you can invest in a composter like the Lomi (we’ve had ours for a year and love it!).
Put your money where your mouth is by planting a tree, volunteering with a local organization (non-profits fighting food waste are a great option), or donating to an environmental charity.
End your relationship with fast fashion, which is responsible for 10% of greenhouse gas emissions and 1/5 of global wastewater. You can reject the idea of “52 micro-seasons” and inexpensively produced, toxic clothing by purchasing secondhand and from environmentally conscious companies.
Urge your financial institution to divest from fossil fuels, which is crucial to winning the climate fight.
Declutter. By letting go of the things that are no longer bringing value to your life, you are contributing to a second-hand market that extends the life of these physical items and reducing their environmental impact.
Engage in some deep-dives about ways to solve the environmental crisis. My favorite recommendation right now is The Day the World Stops Shopping: How Ending Consumerism Saves the Environment and Ourselves. Next up on my reading list is Not too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility. What books or documentaries would you recommend? I’d love to hear from you!
I’m not, of course, suggesting that your individual actions are the only changes we need to make. Corporations and governments should bear the brunt of the responsibility for the climate crisis, from oil spills and expanded drilling rights to preventing chemical and plastic pollution. But as constituents and consumers, we can advocate for systemic changes AND take ownership of the environmental decisions in our own lives.
Happy Earth Day! May 53 be better than 52.
Talk Soon, XOXO
Jennifer