LIFE

Earth Day is Saturday, April 22—and there is no better way to celebrate than giving back to our beautiful blue + green home. Take some time to do a little something for the planet with these five ways to celebrate Earth Day...

Clean up plastic at a local park or beach

Unfortunately, plastic waste is everywhere these days, littering our streets, parks and beaches. Plastic is harmful to both humans and animals (it even seeps into our soil and waterways).

For Earth Day this year, organize an outdoor clean-up near you! Gather a few friends or fam, plenty of paper bags and heavy-duty gloves. Then, hit up your neighborhood park or beach to collect plastic and trash. This is a great way to get outside for a couple of hours and help make a difference.

Get planting

Adding some green to the Earth can never hurt. There are *so* many ways you can do this: Start a garden by choosing a few easy plants to set up in a raised bed. Check out these gardening tips to help you get started.

If gardening isn't your thing, spread some wildflower seeds in a field nearby. Or plant a tree in honor of someone. Organizations such as A Living Tribute allow you to pay for a tree to be planted in a U.S. National Forest in honor of a loved one who has passed.

Paint a birdhouse

Want to do something more creative for Earth Day? Painting a birdhouse is one way to get artistic while also helping Mother Nature. Birdhouses provide safe nesting spaces for many types of birds—and who knows? You might get to see some chicks right in your own backyard.

You can easily find birdhouses at hardware stores or online. Make sure to use latex-based paint, which is safer and more durable for outside use. 

Donate to an anti-climate change organization

We all know that climate change is *very* real. That's why it's extra important this Earth Day to support activists and organizations that are working to better the planet and improve our climate. Some great organizations include the Clean Air Task Force, which is fighting to end air pollution and the adoption of clean energy usage, or Greta Thunberg's Fridays for Future initiative. Even donating to local parks or grassroots organizations will help. There are *tons* of ways to fight for the climate this Earth Day!

Head to the farmers' market

Support local farmers and growers by heading to your neighborhood market on Earth Day! Not only do you help small businesses, but eating locally grown fruits and vegetables is good for you, too. Plus, farmers' markets are *super* cute. Put on a cute fit, take a few friends and snap some adorable pics with all your goodies. Don't forget your reusable bags!

Go plant-based for a day

There are plenty of benefits to a plant-based diet. Eating less meat is great for the Earth, the animals and your bod. Those who eat plant-based reduce their carbon footprint and use less water. For Earth Day, try to go vegetarian or even vegan—even if it's just for 24 hours. Test out some tasty plant-based recipes and try to incorporate a few into your everyday life. Need some inspo? Here's why you should add more plant-based foods to your life!

How are you celebrating Earth Day 2023? Share your Earth Day festivities with us on Insta @girlslifemag!

Slider image: @lexxhidalgo
Header image: @ana.stowell
All GIFs via Giphy

by Hannah Kennedy | 4/20/2023