Earth Day Challenge
Earth Day serves a wonderful purpose of getting the world excited about protecting our planet. But the larger goal is to promote this type of activity every day. Challenge yourself to make Earth Day practices an everyday habit.
Here are a few challenges and ideas to consider. Share in the comments which challenge you’re going to take and how you’re doing. It may inspire others to do the same!
Challenge 1 – Use less water. Cut back while brushing your teeth, washing dishes, taking showers, washing your car and more. [But always wash your hands!]
Challenge 2 – Use less electricity. Turn lights off when they are not in use, and, if not already implemented, install energy saving lights or lights that turn off when motion has not been sensed in a certain amount of time.
Challenge 3 – Take the bus/ride a bike. The next time you reach for your car keys, ask yourself, could I walk, catch the bus or ride my bike instead? Try using alternate transportation this week. Not dealing with rush hour traffic is a great stressbuster too!
Challenge 4 – Create a compost bin. Compost helps feed the soil, which in turn aids plant growth and can fuel a home-garden in your backyard! Composting, instead of throwing away, food scraps like coffee grounds, fruit scraps and vegetable waste also keeps these organic materials out of landfills.
Challenge 5 – Plogging. Go “plogging” – picking up litter while jogging – which benefits our community and ourselves.
Challenge 6 – See how little plastic you can use this week. The person with the least amount of used plastic wins! Reusable plastic does not count!
Challenge 7 – Change up your workplace “happy hour”. If your team usually goes for after-work drinks, try going for a post-work hike or online yoga class together instead.
Challenge 8 – Plant a Tree. Trees serve several important environmental functions, including reducing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and helping purify the air. A fun way to celebrate Earth Day while getting outside is to plant a tree in your own backyard!
Challenge 9 – Go meatless for a week. Or take it one step further by committing to eating green. Being vegetarian for a day is a fun challenge to take on while at the same time reducing environmental impact!
Challenge 10 - Encourage Outdoor/Walking Meetings. We could all benefit from getting outside a little more often. Spending time outdoors is good for your mental health, mood, immune system and much more.
Challenge 11 - Get Outside. People who work from home can fall into the bad habit of staying inside all day. Without a commute to work, remote workers may miss out on the outdoors completely from one day to the next. Going outside has many positive health benefits, including improving your mood, concentration and immune system.
Whether you work from home or in an office, Earth Day is the perfect time to take the first step. Happy Earth Day everyone!