We put together this list of green actions to celebrate Earth Day 2014. There are 44 suggestions because this year was the 44th anniversary of the very first official Earth Day back in 1970. Some of these actions are for now, and some are for later. These are just some of the steps we can take to make every day Earth Day.
Thanks for your contributions to this list. We have included a wide range of ideas – cool stuff, practical stuff, fun things – actions that can actually make a difference. Please add your suggestions by leaving a Reply below. And check out these 44 great ideas!
44 Ideas for Earth Day
1. Wherever you live in Manitoba, register for the Commuter Challenge.
2. Don’t bag your grass. Grasscycle! Keep your lawn healthy and green.
3. Get your bike ready for spring.
4. Register with Dig In Manitoba to learn about healthy local food, share information and grow your own.
5. Join Green Action Centre. Get connected and help encourage greener, better living in Manitoba. If you are already a member, get one more person to join.
6. You don’t have to do it all yourself. Get together with others to help make change – green your workplace, help start a community composting program , or check out school travel planning to see how to get kids walking and cycling actively and safely to school.
7. Shop smart. We can’t shop our way to sustainability, but we can make thoughtful choices when we do have to buy things.
8. Sign up to receive our Active and Green newsletter.
9. Check out community supported agriculture in Manitoba – a great way to get fresh local produce over the summer while supporting local farmers.
10. Make a donation to Green Action Centre. Your contribution helps us reach more Manitobans with tips, ideas, information, support, links and learning opportunities for greener living.
11. Freecycle those used but still valuable items.
12. Consider signing on to Peg City Car Coop. It’s about car sharing as an alternative to buying and maintaining your own vehicle.
13. If you live in Winnipeg, take the bus and travel by Rapid Transit. There’s more to come. This is just a taste of what is in store for Winnipeg commuters.
14. It is still one of the basics – recycle! Let’s keep tires, used oil, electronics and household hazardous waste out of the landfill.
15. “I plan to spend some time talking with my young son about why Earth Day was started and how we can celebrate it as a family.“ – Valerie
16. “For public places/ events – if it is not practical to use washable spoons to stir your coffee, then use pasta (rather than plastic stir sticks). Linguine seems to be the perfect size. Once you stir your beverage, it is soft enough to eat – or you can compost it.” – Maureen
17. “Take a portable mug with you where you go so you don’t have to use a paper cup, or use ceramic mugs or washable mugs at work so you don’t have to use paper cups!” – Heather
18. “Encourage people to use ceramic dishes and a dishwasher at work instead of using disposable dishes.” – Heather
19. “Use a double sided copier. Use old photocopies for scratch paper instead of throwing them out.” – Heather
20. “Put a sign up asking people if they REALLY need to photocopy that page or can they live without copying it.” – Heather
21. “Use digital versions of documents (pdfs) and email them to co-workers instead of copying and handing them the paper version.” – Heather
22. Say No to junk mail. Green Action Centre has stickers.
23. Plan to participate in Jane’s Walk this year. Learn about Winnipeg neighbourhoods by joining one or more of the free guided walks scheduled during the first weekend in May.
24. Travel green with your kids – bus, walk, cycle or share a ride.
25. Make a meat-free meal.
26. Go through your cosmetics and sunscreens and identify toxic ingredients. Switch to non-toxic products that are not tested on animals.
27. Recycle your cell phone.
28. Some electronic equipment uses standby power to maintain functions even when they are theoretically off. Turn off the phantoms by unplugging devices when they are not in use, or switching to Energy Star electronics.
29. When you drive, practise fuel efficient driving habits.
30. Take a cycling course so that you can feel confident leaving your car behind.
31. Retire your fridge. You may qualify for a Manitoba Hydro rebate.
32. Get a rain barrel. Rain barrels can store up to 200 litres of quality (though non-potable) water, and can be refilled by as little as a few millimetres of rainfall.
33. Buy local. Be a locavore!
34. Get outside! Ride a bike, take a walk or just relax and enjoy nature.
35. Watch one of Green Action Centre’s new videos: How to Compost or Bike Winnipeg!
36. Use a clothesline to dry clothes. International Clothesline Week is in June. Get started today!
37. Save energy and money at home. Manitoba Hydro’s Power Smart for Homes program can tell you how.
38. Plan your next vacation by train, bus, or carpool and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
39. Make your next meeting at work a green meeting.
40. Start composting today. We have ideas to get you started.
41. Make your own green cleaning products. They’ll save you money, work just as effectively as commercial products, and are better for the environment and for your health!
42. Join us on Facebook.
43. Write a letter to your MLA or MP about an environmental issue that is important to you.
44. Come to our Earth Day Film Screening- Precautionary Principle: The Nicole Bruinsma Story. Tickets are only $10 and you can learn more about Manitoba’s Cosmetic Pesticide Ban and our journey to reduce our pesticide exposure.
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