Do you know what “Earth Day” is?
John McConnell started Earth Day on March 21st, 1970. In 2012, twenty million people in the United States took to the streets to call on leaders to take preventive measures to protect the environment.
Today, it’s a global movement that is celebrated by billions of people with rallies, cleaning events and oaths to carry out “green” initiatives to help the planet.
Unfortunately, our Earth is not in a better condition than when the first “Earth Day” was held. In fact, 2014 was the hottest year in written history and number fourteen of the fifteen hottest years of this century.
It’s no surprise that the United States has declared 2015 as the year of action against climate change. The Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki-Moon, told the great mass of people who gathered in National Mall that “This is our last chance to stop global warming”.
One of the big reasons why there are no significant changes is that we don’t feel this issue as our own and we believe that governments are the ones that should stop global warming, but the truth is that there are many things we can do, starting today:
“Forest Nation” is a social enterprise that’s encouraging people to promise to plant a tree this “Earth Day,” following the Native American tradition of giving something back to the Earth when you take from it. The idea is to reach at least a billion promises, learn more about this here.
Throughout the years, meat consumption has reached very high levels that bring negative consequences. This extreme demand has a great cost on our planet. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the meat industry generates man-made greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition, meat production also impacts natural resources. According to experts, the astounding amount of 1,800 to 2,500 litres of water is needed to produce a kilo of beef and 50% of all corn grown in the United States is used for feeding animals. Although “Earth Day” doesn’t intend for us to stop eating meat forever, it expects us to do so once a week. All of the U.S. not eating meat or cheese for one day a week is the equivalent of not driving 91000000000 miles – or of removing 7.6 million cars from the streets.
As most of us know, power consumption is the leading cause of greenhouse emissions.
Besides being harmful to the planet, it’s also very expensive. According to experts, the average American household spends more on energy bills and on gas for cars than on health or property taxes.
The good news is that reducing the consumption of energy is something that everyone can achieve quite easily. Turn off unnecessary lights, disconnect devices when not in use, find a carpool, use a bike or walk.
Little by little, we can begin to fight the battle against global warming and start to give the Earth all the love it deserves.
Also remember to reduce your water consumption when brushing your teeth, doing the dishes and during general housekeeping.
“All these practices will not only help the Earth, they will also help your pocket and your finances.”
If you want to know more about how to save and make a difference in your community, follow me on Facebook and Twitter, where you will find an open dialogue about these issues and more.
Are you ready to do your part?
