Earth Day 2021

The Earth Day Network announced the theme of “Restore the Earth” as the official plan for 2021. That’s an especially fitting theme after 2020, which seemed to go on for five years and left most of us exhausted, stressed, and overwhelmed.

By taking steps to help restore the earth this year, we can experience some immediate restoration in ourselves.

1. Take a Walk

Seems pretty straightforward, especially given last year’s emphasis on outside activity.

A year ago, with gyms shutting down and bicycles becoming the second most difficult thing to find in a store (number one was toilet paper), outside activities like walking were all most of us could do to break the monotony of binge-watching and couch surfing. With vaccines becoming widely available and gyms slowly opening back up, the idea of going for a walk now may seem like an odd novelty.

Our advice? Go do it anyway, especially before the summer weather chases most of us indoors. 

Know of a nature trail nearby? Go see what it has to offer. Visited that park with the walking path? Now’s a good time? Haven’t walked around the neighborhood lately? Take a stroll and say hi to the people you pass. And if you really want to show some initiative, try organizing a charity walk and getting others involved.

2. Read Green

Visit any place that sells books, and you’ll probably notice a spring trend on display. Books about gardening, about the environment, and an entire display case for “The Lorax” and “Oh, The Places You’ll Go” because the store has gotten a jumpstart on graduation gift season.

Spring can be a great time to read about the environment, whether it’s “A Walk in the Woods” or “The Omnivore’s Dilemma.” Or you could try to find some classic novels printed on recycled paper. Learn a little something about the world; you might be surprised at what you find.

3. Go Plant Something

When considering some horticultural improvement, it’s important to remember you don’t need a lot of property to start a garden or plant something.

Heck, you don’t even need to own a house to do it. Even a space the size of a window can be used to grow herbs and flowers. Window space already occupied? Check to see if a neighborhood garden area exists. Got a few feet of backyard space not currently being dominated by toys? Till the earth and get to planting.

In addition to the benefits of having beautiful flowers or a way to grow your own food, building and maintaining a garden can work wonders on reducing stress and improving one’s ability to “stop and smell the roses.” How? Gardening takes attention and care, things that can’t be done in a dash. Simple activities like pruning dead leaves and watering require a person to slow down and focus. Healthy garden, healthier human.

Just be sure to keep the tomato plants watered. Those things need a lot of water to produce fruit. 

4. Recycle

Depending on where you live, a recycling program may already be in place. Many suburban neighborhoods offer a recycling pickup service that operates like garbage collection. 

But if one doesn’t exist, check for any local recycling programs and find out what they have to offer.