40 Years of Earth Day Will be Celebrated April 22

Where Were You When You First Heard of Earth Day?

April 22 will mark the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, a global movement to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment.   While there is much work to be done to banish unsustainable practices; I believe that we should feel proud about how far this movement has come over the years.

I first heard of Earth Day myself when I was 14 years old.  My parents decided we should attend an Earth Day rally in Raleigh, North Carolina and hear some guy named Ralph Nader speak (I laugh now that I had no idea who he was at the time….).  Though I was not impressed with the speaker, I remember the passion and the enthusiasm expressed by the crowd; and I believe that small rally held on the NC State Campus left a life long impression on me and helped to foster a true desire to improve our environment.  It inspired me to lobby my high school administrators to put a recycling bin for soda cans in our lunchroom; a radical concept at the time- and a major pain, I had to personally haul those things to the recycling center!    I would like to think if a small rally held over 20 years ago could inspire me so much- I wonder what all the attention from the media, celebrities and the President of the United States are doing for young people today?

I am thrilled to see how much attention Earth Day gets each year.   What started as a vision to bring greater visibility to environmental issues from Senator Gaylord Nelson has evolved into one of the most significant global movements in human history with a range of initiatives and events all over the world.  Not to mention, Organic Bug is celebrating with it’s largest contest in history: we are giving away 40 prizes to 40 lucky winners who enter between now and April 22.    So I am curious to hear from you- where were you the first time you heard of Earth Day?

“As we continue to tackle our environmental challenges, it’s clear that change won’t come from Washington alone. It will come from Americans across the country who take steps in their own homes and their own communities to make that change happen.”-PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

Make Sure Earth Day Lives Past April

Earth Day 2009 has come and gone, but it does not mean we stop caring.  We are off to a great beginning, and hope that we each continue to take action.  There are so many simple acts we can do that will make a difference, and it begins in your home.  Here are some ideas on how you can begin advocating more for the enviroment beginning today:

 Conserve water_

Did you know that only 3% of the earth’s water is freshwater? In addition, water-related energy consumes a large amount of energy. Here are some tips to protect this precious and critical resource and save yourself money:

1. Choose to water your lawn in the evenings when the air is cooler (never in mid day) to minimize evaporation._. Let grass grow longer and plant native or drought-tolerant garden plants. Recycle your dishwater (never waste it by pouring water down the drain if there’s another use for it), and use it to water your plants or garden.

2. Avoid letting faucets run. Don’t let the water run when brushing your teeth, shaving, etc. Instead of letting the water run while cleaning your veggies rinse them in a pot with water._

 3. Run the dishwasher only when it is full.

 4. Limit your shower time. Did you know that just a one or two minute reduction can save you 700 gallons?  Better yet, install a low-flow showerhead (a minimal expense) to reduce the amount of water used.

 

 

Use Reusable Shopping Bags.  Our landfills are overwhelmed with plastic grocery bags.  In fact, several states are considering bills that will require the consumer to pay for these bags. If you only buy a few products at the store, consider skipping the shopping bag. When grocery shopping, invest in a few reusable shopping bags (another minimal expense) and carry your items home in those. 

Drive Smart.  If alternative transportation is not an option for you and you must drive, drive slower and make sure your tires are properly inflated. Taking this step will save you money on fuel and tires, and lowers emissions.  Take it a step further and look into carpooling options in your area.  

 

 

Unplug Your Appliances When Not in Use.  Large Appliances such as the Microwave and TV continue to suck up energy when they are left plugged in, even when they are not in use!  This is called “standby power”.  You will see a drop in your power bill and conserve more energy by unplugging your appliances in your kitchen, living room, bedroom and more.  Plug your appliances into power surge protector strips (with multiple electrical outlets) and turn the power off at the strip when you do not use these items.

Be An Example. Encourage neighbors, friends, and family to do their part as well. Let them know how much money they can save each year by following some of the tips above.  Teach your children how to be good stewards to the earth. 

Earth Day Special: Our Favorite Green Living Sites

As Earth Day 2009 nears (April 22)….we wanted to devote some time to sharing our favorite “Green Sites” on the Web.  These sites are devoted to educating and promoting healthy lifestyles not just for our planet, but are devoted to our overall well being for humanity.  These sites are very much in line with Organic Bug’s vision:

 We envision a compelling future where people collectively embrace the idea of living in harmony with Mother Nature while respecting life in all its forms, further effecting dramatic change for the common good beginning with the simple practice of conscious consumerism.

Tree Hugger

Tree Hugger has brought together a community of eco minded folks who want to share ideas on how they can make our planet a more sustainable place to be.  The site shares daily news and thoughts in it’s blog, newsletter, and has expanding their reach by incorporating a weekly radio show and video segments to their menu.  The forum is a place where readers can discuss and post ideas, tips and more to share with one another.  To go to About Tree Hugger  learn how to best utilize this eco rich resource. 

Ecorazzi 

Ecorazzi has the unique ability to blend our celebrity gossip vice with good intentions.  This site is lots of fun as it glams up green and sustainable living as only Hollywood can do.  Learn the latest green trends in shopping, fashion, and film. music and more. 

Grist

A friend introduced me to this smart and hip site some time ago, and I have been hooked ever since.  We appreciate Grist for their ability to present their news and information in manner that is clever and useful. A review in Time Magazine describes Grist as:

the Colbert Report of climate change, the Daily Show of deforestation, the Oprah of oil dependency — except with real reporting and analytical journalism.

Need we say more?

 

1GreenProduct

1GreenProduct is devoted to helping consumers take the guesswork out of deciding how to best use their purchase power to benefit our planet.   Words like “Green” and “Eco” are often used as marketing terms and do not represent products that are environmentally sound or even healthy for us to use.   We greatly appreciate the work this site does to review and highlight products that are truly wise choices for eco minded consumers.  

Carbon Rally

Carbon Rally engages their readers by inviting them team up with other users and participate in a series of simple challenges designed to make it fun and easy for average households to take a more active role in reducing our carbon footprint.  The challenges also give brief, to the point information on how this act contributes to the solution.  This site is ideal for people who are motivated by the spirit of competition. 

Ideal Bite 

Ideal Bite lends itself to busy people who do not necessarily have the time to read lengthy articles or blog posts devoted to the environment.  They deliver to their subscribers quick and easy “Bites” to spread good ideas and tips on what you can do to live a greener and healthier lifestyle.   This site is very appealing to busy moms and women of all ages.  

The Daily Green

The Daily Green is another consumer driven site that distributes information through its Daily News, Blog Posts, Newsletters, Eco Living Tips, and Product Reviews. We love this site because it contains so much helpful information on how to green your home environment through DIY NonToxic Cleaning  , Seasonal Recipes and Green Gardening .

 

Do you have a favorite “Green Site?”  We want to know about it!  Leave us a comment and tell us why this is a great site to promote sustainable and eco friendly living!