Earth Day: More than just fun events and dirt pudding

Besides the famous “dirt pudding,”it seems like there isn’t much to look forward to when it comes to Earth Day. Back in elementary school, you might have made those pinwheels and set them outside of the school, but now that we’ve grown, what can we do now to save our precious home planet?

“Going green” might sound like an over-used, corny saying, but going green means saving green. Saving energy is one way to save the environment. After you’re finished charging your phone, unplug it. Unused appliances use energy if they’re plugged in. These electronics and appliances can add up to about 20% of your electricity bill. Yikes. A power strip would be a good alternative for those who are forgetful to save energy.

It’s springtime, the weather should be nice enough to crack the windows. Opening the windows is a good way to save energy. Turning your air conditioner on sparingly or not turning it on at all can help you save a little bit of green while simultaneously saving our planet.

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. These three “Rs” remind you that every little thing counts. Even if only one plastic water bottle is thrown into the recycling bin, it makes a bigger difference than just throwing it in the trash. Organic foods such as bananas, oranges, vegetables and dairy products decompose and can be used as soil. Using decomposed, organic food can help minimize the strong odor of manure in farms.

Even though Earth Day only lasts one day, its practices should be used every day. Remember, this is a place that we call home. It’s not only about the dirt pudding and making crafts to show appreciation to the Earth. Doing your part in helping the environment will do more than you think, every little bit helps. When it comes to conserving energy and saving money, less is more.

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