Aloha Ohana!

Our planet earth needs us to come together now more than ever. With the 50th anniversary of Earth Day approaching on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, it’s important to take this time during “earth month” to take more actions on being more green, living more sustainably and work towards a zero-carbon future. This year’s theme is climate action – climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable.

On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans took to the streets, college campuses and hundreds of cities to protest environmental ignorance and demand a new way forward for our planet, thus Earth Day was born. 

You can do your part by being more mindful of your actions – from buying less and becoming a more ethical shopper, using recycled materials, reusable goods/items to leaving things better than you found it (aka pick up trash and after yourselves) – these small actions and practices can add to change. 

Here are a few of our favorite (and simple) things you can do to live a more eco-conscious life:

• Recycle
  • Donate old items – someone else could use it!
  • Separate waste (food, plastics, cardboard and paper for designated bins)

• Reduce
  • Food waste: 40 percent of food in America is wasted, instead of being composted (which is better for the planet). Food that goes to a landfill generates methane gas, a powerful greenhouse gas 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Reduce your food waste by meal planning, buying only what you need and if it goes bad before you get to enjoy it, compost it – meaning your scraps and banana peel can be used as organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow!
  • Carbon Footprint: walk more,  bike or take public transportation if you can! It’s healthy for YOU and good for the planet! A win win. 
  • Water: Take shorter showers and turn off running water while brushing teeth and or dishwashing! 
  • Paper: opt for paperless billing and go digital whenever you can (print documents as little as possible)
  • Packaging/Plastics: do not consume foods or drink from BPA-lined containers. Opt for unpackaged goods like fruits + vegetables, cans, cardboard options over plastics when available. Also, if you do take-out often – make it a point to not take utensils or napkins if you don’t need it. Here’s to making better choices!

• Reuse 
  • Cutlery
  • Grocery + shopping bags, lunch bags
  • Storage containers: sandwich bags, silicone pouches, produce bags
  • Stainless steel metal straws
  • Technology
    • Chargers, batteries
  • Toiletry bottles
  • Water bottles and coffee cups

• Renew
  • Energy-efficient
    • Appliances and electronics
    • Lights
  • Solar power energy

• Restore 
  • Create landscapes that are wildlife-friendly in general, which includes growing native plants and leaving some areas undisturbed
  • Educate yourself about your community/environment
  • Plant a tree – Earth Day Network’s Canopy Project plants trees to benefit local communities, increase habitat for species, and combat climate change.
  • Pick up trash and toss in designated containers 
  • Minimize waste and invasive species

Earth Day Ongoing Initiatives

• Conservation and Biodiversity: This program amplifies and accelerates transformative societal change to restore and protect biodiversity. In a future committed to protecting both wildlife and humanity, this preservation of biodiversity is one of the many solutions to the climate crisis.
• End Plastic Pollution: The campaign draws attention to the harmful effects of plastic in our environment — harming  marine and human health, littering beaches and landscapes, clogging waste streams and landfills — and empowers people to make a difference. 
• Great Global Clean-Up: Join the world’s largest citizen science initiative. Participate in their cleanups or start an individual initiative!
• Green Cities and Local Governments: Engages with cities to respond to climate change by providing resources, partnerships and a platform to take climate action. Cities are uniquely positioned to directly respond to community needs and bring people together.

Here are “11 actions for the planet during a pandemic” tips to take action for our beloved planet earth while practicing social distancing and interactions. This year, Earth Day 2020 goes digital – learn more here as we all EARTHRISE!

Finally, it’s good to unplug (figuratively and literally) and enjoy mother nature and our beautiful environment (natural light and air) around us. 

Find an Earth Day event near you – https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2020/