By: Joseph Ríos
More than 50 years ago, 20 million Americans across the country gathered to rally for a healthier, sustainable planet in response to increased awareness about land and water pollution.
Those 20 million people, accounting for 10 percent of the total population of the United States, rallied in streets, parks and auditoriums to protest the impacts of 150 years of industrial development which had done damage to the planet.
The demonstrations, which took place in 1970, led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and a series of environmental laws like the National Environmental Education Act, the Clean Air Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
Today, Earth Day is celebrated globally in more than 190 countries. Earth Day, which falls on April 22, is a day of action to spark change and to create policies for a clean environment. This year’s Earth Day theme is “Invest In Our Planet” to preserve and protect our health, our families and our livelihoods, according to EARTHDAY.ORG.
As global warming continues to show its impact throughout the world, Earth Day is a great time to recognize your environmental impact on the planet and to take action to live a cleaner, more sustainable lifestyle. Here are some ideas about how you can have a positive impact on Earth this Earth Day.
Organize a cleanup
Often times when you travel through Colorado trails, you’ll likely encounter trash. You can make a difference in your community by organizing a community cleanup.
It’s important to select a place where it is less likely you will be around other people like in your neighborhood or a park nearby. Make sure to dress properly by wearing closed toe shoes, socks, long pants and shirts.
Never touch litter directly and leave hazardous items, like medical waste, needles and syringes alone.
Reduce your food print
We all leave a food print or environmental impact based on growing, producing, transportation and storing of our food.
Thankfully, we can reduce our impact through various ways like eating more plant-based foods, bringing our own bags to the grocery store and by decreasing garbage. Garbage can be reduced by avoiding the use of disposable products. You can even use fruit and vegetable scraps to nourish your garden.
Wear sustainable clothing
Fast fashion has left a negative impact on the environment and our planet.
However, we can reduce the negative impact of clothing by wearing sustainable fashion brands, buying less clothing, shopping at secondhand stores, and avoiding greenwashing, or brands that falsely claim to be more eco-friendly.
You can typically avoid companies that greenwash by looking at brands to see if they have detailed policies to back up claims that they are more eco-friendly.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Landfills received 11.3 million tons of municipal solid waste like discarded clothing, shoes, furniture and other materials.
Let’s all do our part, whether in your own living space or the community you live in.
