Earth Day: What You Can Do at Home to Help
Earth Day 2022 is on Friday, April 22nd. This annual event was first celebrated in 1970 in order to raise awareness about global environmental issues. Since then, it has inspired countless initiatives, both big and small, and meaningful individual actions with impact far beyond the actual day. This year, the theme is ‘Invest in Our Planet’ and businesses especially are being asked to consider how they can help to create a future that’s both prosperous AND sustainable.
This ethos of sustainable business practices is very close to our hearts at Jennifer Adams. We’ve always recognized that our daily business decisions have a direct impact on the world around us – on both the community and on the earth itself. We work hard to source sustainable products and fabrics, and all of our bedding has received OEKO-TEX certification. This not only ensures your safety and comfort, but helps to protect our planet for future generations. Our motto is that big change begins with small decisions and we’re committed to continually evolving in order to do our part.
But which small decisions can you make that will also help towards earth’s preservation? Here are 10 things you can do to help this Earth Day and beyond.
- Eat more plants. Over the past few years, more and more people have come to recognize that eating a plant-based diet is one of the most effective ways to have a positive impact on the environment and help to stop climate change. And you don’t even have to give up meat products altogether. Even just switching to plant-based meals a couple of times a week can have an impact in the long term.
- Do an at-home energy assessment. This Earth Day, take the time to take stock of how your home may be squandering energy. This may be as simple as fixing a leaky faucet or an air leak or something that requires a little more thought, like switching your energy provider to one that uses clean energy sources.
- Ditch the drier. Instead of using the drier, hang your clothes on a drying rack or clothing line. Sure, it takes a little longer, but it will save you energy (and money too!).
- Give up bottled water. Did you know that the entire life cycle of bottled water uses up fossil fuels, which contributes to global warming? Not to mention all the empty plastic bottles causing pollution. A reusable bottle is a stylish solution that’s good for you and good for the planet.
- Plant something. Whether you have access to a full garden or just a tiny window box, make a commitment to add some green to your space by planting something for Earth Day 2022. If you have the space, why not take it to the next level and plant a small vegetable garden? Fresh fruits, herbs and veggies will all help boost your health. Plus, you’ll have the satisfaction of eating something you grew from scratch.
- Switch to cold water detergent. You don’t need to wash your clothes and linens in hot water (with all the associated water and energy waste). Instead, buy some cold water detergent.
- Stop using cotton rounds, swabs, and wipes. Are you using single-use cotton rounds to take off your makeup every day? (Or worse, makeup wipes?) It may seem like a small thing, but these really do add up. Instead, buy a set of fabric or bamboo cotton pads, which can be washed and used again, often for years.
- Use energy efficient light bulbs. It’s simple: energy efficient light bulbs reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, the impact is huge – if every American home replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient one, greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced by 9 billion pounds – as much as 800,000 cars.
- Compost. American households produce a huge amount of food waste each year, including around 650 lbs of organic waste that ends up in landfill. There’s no oxygen in these landfills, so organic matter cannot break down, and ends up releasing harmful methane gas. Composting is easier than you think and it makes a big difference.
- Spend time outside. One of the best ways to celebrate Earth Day is to spend some time in the great outdoors appreciating it – and all we have to lose.
Now that you’ve taken action, why not pay it forward and challenge friends, family, and colleagues to do the same?
