The world celebrates Earth Day every April 22nd. It is an important movement that grew from former Senator Gaylord Nelson’s effort to save the planet. He wrote to colleges and magazines beginning in 1963 and was able to generate nationwide interest by 1969. In 1970, the first Earth Day was held worldwide and people have spread the word ever since.
Earth Day is a great day to look at the problems we have with ecology and to see what we can do to change them or improve efforts already started. Take a look at some fun things you can do to spark conversation and continue to make a difference in our changing environment.
The four R’s of Recycling are: Recycle, Reuse, Reduce, and Repair. Help your children make a poster for their room and tell them how they can use the 4 R’s to help save their planet.
Recycle paper, aluminum cans, and reuse paint containers and more: Lower your school’s energy costs by 30% by visiting this EnergySmart School site.
Recycle old items: Have an old sweatshirt that doesn’t fit anymore? Make a pet bed out of it by stuffing old pantyhose or other fleece clothing inside. It’s comfy for your pet, free, and 100% washable!
Reuse plant seeds: Take digital photos of your family and friends cleaning an area, planting flowers, or creating a compost pile. If you have seeds from plants you grew last year or that a friend gave you, plant flowers or fruit. Separate plants that grow from bulbs and replant them in new spots in your yard. Then send a FREE eCard for Earth Day to let everyone know you care about the environment and what you are doing about it. http://www.smilebox.com/ecards/earth-day/
Reduce Pollution: For a fun event at work, make Dirt Cups (see recipe below) and talk about a company car pool to save energy and the air.
Dirt Cups ingredients: Chocolate pudding mix, 2 cups cold milk, 8 oz thawed Cool Whip, 16 oz of chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreos or Hy-Drox), and gummy worms or gummy insects. Mix the pudding with the milk until blended. Stir in the Cool Whip and ½ of the cookies (crushed). Put about a tablespoon of the remaining crushed cookies into the bottom of empty cups or mugs and fill the rest of the cup with the pudding/Cool Whip mixture. Put another ½ teaspoon of crushed cookies on top of the pudding cup mixture and then top with gummies of your choice. Chill in fridge for about an hour.
Instead of playing videos or watching TV, take a walk with your kids to the local park or the recreation center. Take a trash bag with you and clean up the path as you go. Talk to your children about the importance of cleaning up after themselves and how it helps when everyone does their part. (Dirt cups might come in handy as an incentive!)
Repair used toys instead of throwing them out: Spend time with your kids repairing an old bicycle or wagon. It’s a great time to discuss the environment, see what they know, if they do any recycling at school, bring the item back to life, and enjoy time with the kids.
Whatever you choose to do, make it fun and spread the word. This is the only Earth we have.
