Tree Hugging Family » earth day events http://www.treehuggingfamily.com Family Life On The Green Side Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:39:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Plan for 365 days of green this Earth Day http://www.treehuggingfamily.com/plan-for-365-days-of-green-this-earth-day/ http://www.treehuggingfamily.com/plan-for-365-days-of-green-this-earth-day/#comments Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:00:57 +0000 Jennifer http://www.treehuggingfamily.com/?p=3742 Post from: Tree Hugging Family

]]> 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:


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.

Just for kids:


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.

Just 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.

Just for kids:


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.

Just for kids:


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.

Just for kids:


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.

Just for kids:


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 

Just for kids:


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.

Just 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.

Just for kids:


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.

Just for kids:


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. 

Just for kids:

NOW: Share some of your green goals for the year in the comments…

[images via stock.xchng (altered by yours truly)]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

]]> http://www.treehuggingfamily.com/plan-for-365-days-of-green-this-earth-day/feed/ 3 Before Earth Day Month Kicks Off… http://www.treehuggingfamily.com/before-earth-day-month-kicks-off/ http://www.treehuggingfamily.com/before-earth-day-month-kicks-off/#comments Tue, 01 Apr 2008 11:11:06 +0000 Jennifer http://www.treehuggingfamily.com/before-earth-day-month-kicks-off/ Post from: Tree Hugging Family

]]> Let’s discuss it a bit.

Read this post first. Geez, angry much?

People reading this blog, know that I personally did not agree with the whole, “Lights off issue” so I can’t argue about that. However, I can’t tell if this individual is actually mad because we aren’t doing enough, or just thinks trying to save the earth is total bunk. Can you? I do know that this person’s post is made out in a fairly accusing tone and sounds as if it’s speaking to everyone – but I don’t have a Lincoln Navigator.

Here at Tree Hugging Family we do actually have a special month-long Earth Day event planned. Which is why I’m bringing this up. Just because we’re having an Earth Day deal does not mean that I think you should only celebrate Earth Day on Earth Day. That is bunk. I actually do have some Earth Day issues for some of the same reasons as the person who wrote that angry post. I just go about what I think in a different way.

I’d honestly like there not to be an Earth Day. I’m not a fan of the whole, “Let’s single green out as special” when it should be, “Let’s do the best we can and beyond each and every day.” On the other hand, if some person who has never given a day’s thought to what’s best for the planet, happens upon an Earth Day event, and they change their mind, they become advocates for the planet, well, then I guess Earth Day does have a purpose.

It’s a tough call. Peggy and I emailed back and fourth about this a bit – (although, trust me, I’m more ambivalent than Peggy). And we’re going to celebrate Earth Day here, but we also agree that what we would adore is if people tried to be more green everyday – not just on April 22nd.

Before this whole month kicks off, I did want to get that off my chest. I’m concerned when people get as angry as this person above, simply because that doesn’t help either. I know we aren’t nearly doing all that we can, trust me, I do know that, but overall, I believe we have to keep trying, or what… just be mad, get upset, toss the whole idea aside.

In any case, Peggy and I did plan something pretty cool for Earth Day. But it’ll be going on all month long. I’ll post that later today.

For now, tell me what you think. Is Earth Day a total scam? Are we so far gone that even trying to live smarter is useless? Should we cancel it to prove a point? Keep on trucking along? What do you think?

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

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