Earth Day 2007 promises to be one of the most important milestones in the history of Earth Days and we want you to be the best granola-crunching, tree-hugging, world-saving person you can be. So, sit back & relax while we show you how to kick butt and take names, one tree at a time.
Save a Tree
While we don't suggest that you run around chaining yourself to every tree you find (but then again, who are we to stop you?) we do think it's important to save them. We all know CO2 contributes to global warming, while plants and trees breathe in CO2. So before you all run out, grab a shovel, and get planting, check out ArborDay.org/trees. They've got an extensive collection on where, how, and why to plant trees, along with suggested trees for your area and climate. They explain how to plant, prune, and care for your planted tree. If your tree gets sick, just view their Tree Health Guide to get in touch with a "Tree Doctor" in your area. Too lazy or vampire-like to go outside? You can also view our links page and use the "Click-A-Day" websites to save trees without ever letting your butt leave your chair.
Cut Back
To help cut back on the release of CO2 you can adopt more conservative activities. For example: Before you leave for school, or before you go to bed, unplug all unused electrical items, even if they're off, they still use energy! In the summer time, if you turn your thermostat up 2 degrees, and down 2 degrees in the winter it will save you money and the Earth. For those of you thinking of buying a new car (or if you know anyone buying a new car) you should look into hybrids, running your car on biodiesel, vegetable oil or ethanol. With raising gas prices, these will help keep a little cash in your pockets, and cut back on the amount of pollution in the atmosphere.
Little Minds, Big Planet
In order for anyone to have a future on this planet, we must spread the word about global warming. One of the best places to start is with children. Kids are often eager to learn and help, which makes them ideal candidates for environmental education. You can arrange a "Story Time" with your local library on Earth Day. One awesome choice is to read The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. You can also arrange to visit elementary and middle schools and hold an assembly. Prepare a speech, slideshow, and possibly even interactive "stations" for younger children to learn about environmental hazards, tips, and tools for eco-improvement. Always remember that the younger the children, the more simplistic the activities.
Go Veg
Going vegan can help save the Earth! Raising animals for food requires more than one-third of all raw materials and fossil fuels in the United States alone. The pollution ravages areas such as the Gulf of Mexico. There is currently a 7,000 square mile dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico which can no longer support auquatic life because too much nitrogen from animal manure and feed-crop fertilizer from raising animals for meat has been dumped into it. Some of the same run off pollutes drinking water in areas such as India where sufficient water treatment plants are unavailable. Eating meat even contributes to deforestation, mainly that of rainforests. As grazing land becomes too devoid of nutrients, large areas of the Amazon Rainforest are cut down to make room for grazing land for cows and other animals raised for food. KFC is a large part of the Amazon deforestation problem. Going veg can not only improve your health, and raise your energy level, but it can save your planet too.
Spend the Day with Friends
Another great place to start battling global warming, is within your own friend circle. Host an Earth Day Party. Buy recycled napkins, plates, and cups from your local food or healthfood store. Grab some organically grown fruits, vegetables, and other products (Kelloggs now has organic cereal [which, by the way, tastes amazing]). Pop in an eco-friendly movie like An Inconvenient Truth (which is so eco-friendly that it's packaged in 100 percent recycled materials!) or Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. Spend the rest of the day planting trees, or reading eco-friendly books to youngsters. You can even take it one step further and make sure all of your food is vegan!