Plan for 365 days of green this Earth Day
April 22, 2009 by Jennifer
If you read here regularly you’ll know that I’m not totally on board with any of the earth-minded holidays. It’s the whole too-little, too-commercialized, too-much-at-once issue. Earth Day, if celebrated correctly would be celebrated each and every day. This Earth Day make it a goal to live green 365 days a year. Following is an easy green calender of ideas for you and your family…
APRIL
Learn: About indoor pollution and how to keep your air fresh and healthy. Double points for researching the benefits of growing your own fresh air.
Plan a goal: On Earth Day, plan your green goals for the year. Make small green goals, make large green goals, but figure out how you’re going to avoid the Earth Day-one day trap and instead focus on how to celebrate green all year long.
Celebrate: A green Easter and a fab Arbor Day.
Just for kids:
- Green fun for kids during April showers
- Get your baby or toddler outside once spring arrives
- Start researching Green Summer Camps
- Interactive Green Kids Website – Clean Air Club for Kids
MAY
Learn: Everything you ever wanted to know about green weddings. Weddings can be a major strain on the environment, and I’m betting you know someone with a summer wedding coming up – maybe even you. Educate yourself and others about smart green wedding choices.
Plan a goal: Set up a household recycling center this May. With summer coming the kids will be home and this is a great time to get eco-organized. Recycling is vital for a green family.
Celebrate: Your community. Make a plan to green your neighborhood.
JUNE
Learn: About summer energy (and money) conservation with ten easy ways to beat the heat.
Plan a goal: Make this summer a little more plastic-free. Ditch plastic in the kitchen, snag some reusable ice pop molds, and learn how to make 32 unique homemade Popsicle recipes.
Celebrate: Early summer flowers with a cool project - candied flowers.
- Summer Bug Safety for Kids
- Father’s Day Crafts for Kids
- Great Summer Projects, Crafts, & Nature Activities for Kids…
JULY
Learn: About organic foods. From which organics are best, to the health benefits, to how to save money on organics, July is a great time to get educated about this topic because farmers markets and local farms are in full swing operation, plus, summer naturally feels like a good time to eat healthy.
Plan a goal: Start incorporating organics into your family’s diet. Don’t go nuts (you’ll drive yourself mad) but do choose some products in organic form each time your shop.
Celebrate: Mid summer with an awesome eco-barbecue or an easy green picnic or potluck – now that you’ve learned about organic foods it’ll be a snap.
- Build A Solar Cooker – adult help needed but way fun.
- Solar Art Project
AUGUST
Learn: All about trees this August. You can learn how people affect trees, read a killer book about trees, travel to see some neat trees, or just get out there and hug your favorite tree.
Plan a goal: Plant some trees that will thrive where you live.
Celebrate: Your kids before they head back to school. Involve them in green issues, take them on a hike, cook up some eco-food with them, and snag them some eco-friendly school and lunch gear for their return to school.
SEPTEMBER
Learn: If Weatherization Assistance Programs are for you. If you need help keeping your home warm in the winter these programs can help plus they focus on energy efficiency tips and products.
Plan a goal: Green your beauty & bath routine.
Celebrate: World Ozone Day – learn about the issues surrounding global warming.
OCTOBER
Learn: About the most common excuses why people don’t go green – note; avoid these. Ask a non-green friend about their reasoning and try to inform them of your side.
Plan a goal: Cut back on your paper towel use this month (maybe switch to cloth altogether).
Celebrate: A spooky green Halloween. Try an organic pumpkin, look for eco-friendly treats, and make homemade costumes.
- Non-toxic face paints for Halloween
- Oodles of Free Recycled Halloween Craft Ideas
- Organic Halloween Smoothie
NOVEMBER
Learn: About why a less consumer based winter holiday season rocks. Now is the time to really focus on avoiding commercialism because it’s going to be knocking at your door big time.
Plan a goal: Plan to participate in Buy Nothing Day or at the very least start making some of your own homemade holiday gifts.
Celebrate: Thanksgiving sans the meat this year. If that’s not quite for you, you can still green up your Thanksgiving day in other ways. Try some nature crafts for your table or
DECEMBER
Learn: Why vegetarian meals are good for your health and the planet. What we eat does affect the entire world. You can gather amazing tips and facts for going meatless (and organic) at the Sustainable Table website.
Plan a goal: Incorporate two vegetarian meals weekly. Here are some easy veggie recipe ideas for meat-eating families.
Celebrate: A super green Christmas or Hanukkah.
- Homemade Recycled Holiday Luminaries – adults need to help, but kids LOVE these.
- Last Minute Eco-Christmas Crafts!
- Meatless Meals: Veggie Books for Kids
JANUARY
Learn: Sustainable housing is a huge topic, but one worth learning about. You can minimize your impact on the planet, live cleaner, and even get cool tax breaks for greening your dwelling. For tips related to all of the above visit Best Green Home Tips.
Plan a goal: Stop buying dishwasher detergents with phosphates.
Celebrate: A peaceful Martin Luther King Day and a green New Year’s Eve.
- DIY Cardboard Dollhouse – the kid version of sustainable housing!
- How Kids Can Save the Earth A to Z
FEBRUARY
Learn: Reusable bags are one major green topic everyone should learn more about. If you’re not taking this super easy green step (using reusable bags) what’s stopping you? This green lifestyle choice is so easy it’s a crime not to try.
Plan a goal: Yes its chilly, but there are still plenty of good reasons to get outside during winter. Make it a goal to stay healthy all year long by incorporating regular outdoor activity into your life.
Celebrate: Valentine’s day by avoiding paper greeting cards.
MARCH
Learn: About why commercial, conventional cleaners are so bad for your health and the environment.
Plan a goal: Green audit all your green cleaners, safely toss the icky ones, and then make your own natural, toxic-free homemade cleaners.
Celebrate: See 60 eco-friendly ways to celebrate spring and you also might want to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with some greener than usual brew.
NOW: Share some of your green goals for the year in the comments…
[images via stock.xchng (altered by yours truly)]
As a small business owner in Arizona, I was introduced to a non-profit organization called The 3000 Club. They rescue 30 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables every year by reclaiming food that would have been destroyed. The fruits and vegetables that are still fresh are collected and donated while the spoiled items are composed so the process is a complete win/win. They need at least 3,000 people and businesses who will help stop nutritional foods from going to waste, and make them available to thousands of hungry children in America. They hope to eventually make a difference throughout the US but currently they are primarily in Arizona.