By Caitlin Conville | Staff Writer
April 22 is Earth Day, and every human should celebrate it with pride. There are many small, yet meaningful ways you can show your appreciation for this gorgeous ball of life. After all that this planet has done for us, we owe it to Mother Earth to return the favor for at least one day.
1
Use alternative modes of transportation. Do your part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by carpooling with friends, taking public transportation or utilizing a ride-sharing app like Uber or Lyft. If you’re able to walk or ride your bike, that’s even better. Fewer cars on the road also mean less traffic, so you will be improving air quality in addition to cutting down on travel time.
2
Get yourself reusable products.
Plastic water bottles are good in a pinch, but when they’re discarded, they do nothing but release dangerous chemicals into the soil and load up landfills. The same goes for plastic bags, straws and even balloons. In the ocean, plastic litter regularly traps, chokes and poisons innocent marine life. Save the planet and your money with a one-time investment of reusable shopping bags, water bottles and straws rather than multiple purchases composed of harmful materials.
3
Get involved!
Add some greens to Earth’s plate! Start small by planting trees or creating a garden patch in your own backyard before getting permission to plant in a public location. You can also donate just $15 to My Tree Planet and their team of government-authorized planters across North America to plant a tree in your honor in a national park or forest
Some Organizations to Consider: Jersey Cares offers a number of volunteer opportunities with different organizations where you and a group of friends can help maintain the beauty of North Jersey’s nature. Earth Keepers in Jersey City plan to meet every Saturday in April from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in order to garden, weed, mulch and clean up Liberty State Park. Join the crew of Plant it Forward every Wednesday in April from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. to prune trees, turn soil and compost in Clifton. You can register for these events at http://www.jerseycares.org/.
4
Consider an organic diet, at least for the day. Not only are the preservatives and hormones in processed foods and meats unhealthy for humans, but the industrial setting in which they are manufactured also pollutes the environment. If you don’t feel like cooking, there are plenty of restaurants that serve Earth-friendly food right here in Paramus, including EONS Greek Food For Life with its hormone and antibiotic-free protein; Natural Way Cafe with its Asian-inspired, non-GMO dishes; and From Scratch with hearty Italian meals made with only the freshest ingredients. Eating clean is an eco-friendly trifecta; it helps the planet, the animals and your body.
Former President of France, François Hollande, put it best when asked about climate change stating, “We have a single mission: to protect and hand on the planet to the next generation.”
