Here Are 5 Simple Ways You Can Help Our Planet on Earth Day

MOTHER EARTH NEEDS YOUR HELP. We're not talking about buying beer. We're talking about the growing problem that is the state of our planet. If you are anything like us (ya know...human) then you may be asking yourself, "what difference can I really make?" Or, "I want to help, but I am just too busy." After all, in the midst of the daily grind it can be difficult to look outside the "me" lens. We get it. That's why we've put together this simple list on ways you can make a difference, and you hardly have to lift a finger. This is a practical guide to helping out on Earth Day.

UNPLUG OR TURN OFF YOUR DEVICES

Did you know that Americans alone add up to 44 Million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere by leaving unused devices plugged in? Take the time to walk around your house and assess which devices are critical and which ones are optional. Bet you'll be surprised with what you find. Many devices appear to be off but are actually in standby mode. If in doubt, just unplug them.

WASH LAUNDRY IN COLD WATER

90% of your washing machine's energy usage goes toward heating water. Switch your machine over to COLD and save some energy. Plus hot water tends to shrink clothes, and no one likes shrinkage 😉. Extra points for hang drying your clothes.

SWITCH TO A RE-USEABLE WATER BOTTLE

2.5 MILLION water bottles are thrown away every hour in the United States alone. Let that sink in for a minute. The average plastic bottle takes 450 years to break down. As we become more and more reliant on convenience grab & go items like water bottles, we are compounding the problem every year. A lot of local breweries sell branded water bottles. Shop small and pick one up today.

TURN DOWN YOUR THERMOSTAT & WATER HEATER

As springtime weather becomes more temperate, take the time to adjust your thermostat or take it one step further and install a programmable thermostat that allows you to set run schedules based on times you are home and away. You can also turn down the temperature on your water heater. You see, a water heater is like a jacuzzi - it maintains the temperature of the tank 24/7, even when you don't need it that hot. Dial it down and consider going tankless.

GET INVOLVED IN A COMMUNITY EVENT OR DONATE

There are events going on all day near you where you can make a difference. You just have to look! Tree planting and trash pick ups are a couple examples, such as the planting we did in Idaho earlier this month, or the trash pick up event we're doing at the Oceanside Pier today. Don't have that kind of time? Donate to a conservation charity. Visit this guide to determine which one is right for you!

As you can see there are so many ways to make a difference that don't require much effort at all. Imagine what you could do if you really put your mind to it! Do you have plans to save Mother Earth today? Stay active on social and tag us with examples of how you are making a difference!