Every April, millions of people show support for the environment by celebrating Earth Day and participating in activities that help the environment… here are some facts you should know. Established in 1970 in the US, this annual event brings together millions of people from around the world in support of the environment, highlighting the urgent action we need to take to save our planet. Each year the climate crisis becomes ever more serious, making Earth day even more important. In August of 2021, there was a report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change stating that there is a “code red” warning for humanity. This means that the Earth is getting so hot that temperatures in about a decade will likely blow past a level of warming that world leaders have sought to prevent.

As our world leaders take time to figure out the best way to combat climate change, there are several ways that you can take the initiative and act now. Here are some simple changes to think about:

1. Replace disposable plastic bottles with a reusable water bottle-
By using reusable bottles instead of plastic bottles every day you can help combat multiple environmental problems. If you don’t already own one, then go out and buy a bottle that you can take with you everywhere you go. The water bottling process releases 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually. Additionally, disposable water bottle waste washes into the ocean and kills about 1.1 million marine creatures each year.

2. Shop at a local farmers’ market-
Farmers’ markets are a great way to get fresh produce and are beneficial in many ways. First, they support local businesses, encouraging positive economic growth in your area. They also tend to use a lot less, or sometimes even no plastic packaging compared to supermarkets which helps reduce waste. Finally, the products are grown or made locally so transport distances are very short and CO2 emissions are low. Supermarkets on the other hand transport food thousands of miles from across the US or even from different countries.

3. Plant a tree-
Trees and forests are extremely important for absorbing Co2 while providing oxygen. They also provide raw materials for building, shelter for wildlife, and bare fruits and flowers to help sustain life. Around 40 billion tons of Co2 are released each year which is negatively impacting the environment. On average a single fully-grown tree can absorb about 50 pounds of carbon each year, so planting
even one tree can help offset negative global emissions.

4. Join a community clean up-
By participating in clean-ups, citizens can create immediate results and permanent changes in their local areas. Clean-ups should serve as catalysts for permanent changes in attitudes and behavior and encourage the adoption of practices like recycling that can have a profound effect on waste management in the community These are just some of the many simple changes that you can incorporate into your life to help save the planet. With Earth Day just around the corner, it is a great time to make some of these changes in your life and look within the community to participate in Earth day activities. The Manhasset Chamber will be doing an Earth Day cleanup in town on April 22nd at 1 pm. Its goal is to clean up trash, weed the plants, and sweep debris from sidewalks to help clean up the community. Act now as we need to do our part in our community not just on Earth Day, but every day.