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Back in 1970, setting aside one day for Earth Day was probably a good start.
Over the next few years, Congress passed the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, and established the Environmental Protection Agency.
An oil embargo sparked research into conservation and alternative energy sources.
While we have made progress over the decades — some of the most polluted areas in the country have been cleaned up and we've been made more aware of our daily impact on the planet — it seems the challenges facing us after 37 consecutive Earth Days are more daunting than ever.
Many folks might see Earth Day as the one day a year when they might pick up some litter, or take a walk instead of a drive. I'd like to see more people like my neighbor, who sees Earth Day as a day off. He almost always walks or rides his bike around town and when he does, he picks up trash – pounds of it every day. If you aren't paying attention, you might have thought the "Give a hoot – Don't pollute" campaign took care of litter. But it didn't. So on Earth Day, my neighbor lets everyone else have a day of taking care of the trash.
But today, rest assured, he's back to work. There are many ways each of us can help the environment every day. Pick at least one and do it every day. Whether it's gathering litter, walking more, using less water or writing letters to your members of Congress — just do something.
Here are just a few tips for around the house:
• Use the microwave to cook small meals. (It uses less power than an oven.)
• Purchase "Green Power" for your home's electricity. (Contact your power supplier to see where and if it is available.)
• Have leaky air conditioning and refrigeration systems repaired.
• Look for the WaterSense label to identify water-efficient products and programs. The WaterSense label indicates that these products and programs meet water-efficiency and performance criteria. WaterSense labeled products will perform well, help save money, and encourage innovation in manufacturing.
• Take short showers instead of tub baths.
• Keep drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run until the water is cool.
• Scrape, rather than rinse, dishes before loading into the dishwasher; wash only full loads.
• Water the lawn or garden during the coolest part of the day (early morning is best).
• Water plants differently according to what they need. Check with your local extension service or nurseries for advice.
• Buy permanent items instead of disposables.
• Buy and use only what you need.
• Buy products with less packaging.
• Repair items as much as possible.
• Use durable coffee mugs.
• Use cloth napkins or towels.
• Clean out juice bottles and use them for water.
• Use empty jars to hold leftover food.
• Reuse boxes.
• Purchase refillable pens and pencils.
• Participate in a paint collection and reuse program.
Compiled by:Saurav Chakraborty
Sponsored by:
Your Ad Here Over the next few years, Congress passed the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, and established the Environmental Protection Agency.
An oil embargo sparked research into conservation and alternative energy sources.
While we have made progress over the decades — some of the most polluted areas in the country have been cleaned up and we've been made more aware of our daily impact on the planet — it seems the challenges facing us after 37 consecutive Earth Days are more daunting than ever.
Many folks might see Earth Day as the one day a year when they might pick up some litter, or take a walk instead of a drive. I'd like to see more people like my neighbor, who sees Earth Day as a day off. He almost always walks or rides his bike around town and when he does, he picks up trash – pounds of it every day. If you aren't paying attention, you might have thought the "Give a hoot – Don't pollute" campaign took care of litter. But it didn't. So on Earth Day, my neighbor lets everyone else have a day of taking care of the trash.
But today, rest assured, he's back to work. There are many ways each of us can help the environment every day. Pick at least one and do it every day. Whether it's gathering litter, walking more, using less water or writing letters to your members of Congress — just do something.
Here are just a few tips for around the house:
• Use the microwave to cook small meals. (It uses less power than an oven.)
• Purchase "Green Power" for your home's electricity. (Contact your power supplier to see where and if it is available.)
• Have leaky air conditioning and refrigeration systems repaired.
• Look for the WaterSense label to identify water-efficient products and programs. The WaterSense label indicates that these products and programs meet water-efficiency and performance criteria. WaterSense labeled products will perform well, help save money, and encourage innovation in manufacturing.
• Take short showers instead of tub baths.
• Keep drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run until the water is cool.
• Scrape, rather than rinse, dishes before loading into the dishwasher; wash only full loads.
• Water the lawn or garden during the coolest part of the day (early morning is best).
• Water plants differently according to what they need. Check with your local extension service or nurseries for advice.
• Buy permanent items instead of disposables.
• Buy and use only what you need.
• Buy products with less packaging.
• Repair items as much as possible.
• Use durable coffee mugs.
• Use cloth napkins or towels.
• Clean out juice bottles and use them for water.
• Use empty jars to hold leftover food.
• Reuse boxes.
• Purchase refillable pens and pencils.
• Participate in a paint collection and reuse program.
Compiled by:Saurav Chakraborty
Sponsored by:
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