7 ways to help save the planet on Earth Day (and every other day)
On April 22, more than a billion people around the world celebrate Earth Day.
Earth Day is coming up on Saturday April 22, 2023. Celebrated every year, it’s a day of action to raise awareness of environmental challenges and issues that negatively impact our planet.
First held on April 22, 1970, now more than a billion people, in more than 193 countries celebrate Earth Day to protect the planet from things like pollution and deforestation. The official theme for Earth Day 2023 is Invest In Our Planet.
It’s never too early to start teaching your child about the importance of caring for the environment.
For Earth Day 2023, parents can get their kids involved in a range of activities (see below) to help making our world a happier, healthier place to live.
More than a billion people around the world celebrate Earth Day.
7 ways to help save the planet on Earth Day (and every other day)
1. Teach kids to reduce, reuse and recycle
Recycling is an important concept that teaches children to care for the environment.
Reduce – this means cutting back on the amount of waste used in everyday life. For example, reduce waste by teaching children to use canvas bags at the grocery store instead of plastic bags.
Reuse – reuse an existing item to minimise waste. For example, reuse paper for drawing and reuse recyclable materials for craft.
Recycle – means when an object can be shredded, melted, or processed in order to create new raw materials.
2. Plant something
Planting a tree is a great way to celebrate Earth Day. Trees help the environment by producing oxygen and filtering out pollutants to clean the air. If you have a backyard, find the perfect spot to plant your tree. You could also start a small garden by planting seedlings or potting plants in containers or window boxes.
3. Turn off the lights
A simple way to help protect the environment and save the planet is to turn off the lights when you leave a room. Not only does it help save energy but it can also help reduce carbon emissions and other harmful greenhouse gases.
4. Limit water usage
Only 1% of the Earth’s freshwater (water without salt) can be used for these things, so we must protect what we have.
It’s never too early to teach your children about water conservation. Practice good water-saving strategies at home like turning off the tap while they brush their teeth to taking faster showers (and fewer baths)
It’s never too early to teach your children to care for the environment.
5. Walk instead of using the car
Walking or biking to school (or to any family outing) will teach your child about reducing emissions and minimising their carbon footprint.
6. Donate preloved goods
Encourage your kids to donate preloved goods such as kids books, children’s clothes and toys. This teaches kids about reusing, recycling and giving.
7. Read a children’s book about the planet
Happy Earth Day! is a fact-filled Little Golden Book about Earth Day – what it is, why it’s important, and suggestions for things kids can do to help protect and heal our planet. The book also includes directions for family-friendly projects such as composting, growing baby carrots on a windowsill, making a bug hotel, and more.