Earth Day is April 22nd: 10 Ways to Care for Our Planet All Year Long

Earth Day is celebrated annually, on April 22nd, to show support for environmental preservation.

By taking part in activities like picking up litter and planting trees, we’re making our world a happier, healthier place to live. [National Geographic]

Locally, there are Earth Day celebrations at places like Mezamiz Coffee House and Play Faire Park.

Get our free mobile app

However, there's so much more we can do in addition to celebrating on April 22nd each year.

Use Reusable Bags at the Store

Plastic grocery bags require millions of barrels of oil to manufacture. Need I say more? On the back end, used bags end up emitting harmful chemicals, harming aquatic life, and adhering to the underside of your car.

Use Renewable Energy to Power Your Home and/or Business.

You’ve got options here: wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and hydropower. For what it’s worth, Texas dominates wind energy production in the USA. Let this be a point of pride and flaunt to everyone you know, while also having solar panels installed on your roof.

Plant Trees

Maybe it sounds cliché but planting trees is one of the most notable ways to care for our planet. Trees provide food, shelter, and oxygen to all manner of creatures.

Compost

Set up a tiny corner in your yard to compost kitchen scraps and yard cuttings. Composting reduces landfill waste and contributes valuable nutrients to the environment.

Save Paper

Use online billing. Save paper. Save trees. Free up your mail drawer for trinkets and candy.

Use a Reusable Water Container

Stay hydrated with a reusable water container. Find your favorite color and dress it up with stickers. Just steer clear of plastic bottles, the equally naughty cousin of plastic bags.

Conserve Electricity

Turn off the lights. Flipping off the switch when you leave a room conserves energy. Bonus: saves you dollars.

Protect Pollinators

Bees, butterflies, and their pollinating cohorts are integral to our ecosystem. Use natural alternatives in place of conventional pesticides to protect their habitats.

Eat Less Meat

I know, I know. Seems a taboo thing to say out here in west Texas with all our platters of burgers and barbecue. But plant-based diets are healthier and more energy-efficient for both the planet and the individual human body.

Buy Goods From Local Farmers

Shopping locally cuts down on fuel consumption, air pollution, food waste, and the need for shipping/packing facilities. Plus it means investing in your own hometown economy.

Contact the Abilene Farmers’ Market at 325.665.6095, and the Abilene Fresh Market at 325.260.8571; both markets are also on Facebook.