40th Anniversary of Earth Day
April 22, 2010
Forty years after the first Earth Day, the world is in greater peril than ever. While climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, it also presents the greatest opportunity – an unprecedented opportunity to build a healthy, prosperous, clean energy economy now and for the future.
Earth Day 2010 can be a turning point to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs. Earth Day Network is galvanizing millions who make personal commitments to sustainability. Earth Day 2010 is a pivotal opportunity for individuals, corporations and governments to join together and create a global green economy. Join the more than one billion people in 190 countries that are taking action for Earth Day.
Start planning your Earth Day 2010 event and take action today.
Tools to Get Started
Organizers Guide
Earth Day In A Box
Earth Day Network’s Campaign for Earth Day 2010
Global Days of Service – April 17-18 - Join millions around the globe to make your community and the world cleaner and more sustainable.
Help Generate a Billion Acts of Green™- Register individual, community or business service acts and take action for Earth Day.
Events on The National Mall in Washington, DC
- Earth Day 40th Anniversary Events – April 22
- Change the Climate Rally – April 25
- Exhibitions and Performances on The National Mall – April 17-25
Arts for the Earth™- Get involved in art that promotes environmental themes.
Song for the Earth Contest - Youths 18 or under who are passionate about music and the environment are invited to compose and submit a song. Winners will perform on The National Mall.
Athletes for the Earth™ - Athletes are signing up to change the climate!
(Source: http://www.earthday.net/earthday2010)
Every Little Bit Helps. How Being Eco-Friendly Can Be Eco-nomical
What can you do to help save the environment and some extra money? You can start by doing the little things – like going paperless with Green$ense. By receiving electronic statements and making electronic payments with Green$ense, you can have a big impact on the environment. Here’s how an average household in the United States, which receives 19 bills/statements and makes 7 electronic payments, can impact the environment.
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions – equivalent to 176 miles of driving
- Reduce paper consumption by 6 pounds
- Save 4.5 gallons of gasoline
- Save 63 gallons of water
There are other small ways you can have a big impact on the environment – and energy costs – with our helpful recycling and environmental articles, as well as water conservation tips. Consider these quick facts:
- Water conservation tip: Fixing a drippy faucet or showerhead can save more than 3,000 gallons of water per year.
- Energy reduction tip: Switching to ENERGY STAR-rated heating and cooling equipment can cut your annual energy bill by nearly $200.
- Recycling tip: Re-using and refilling toner cartridges can save money and reduce waste at the same time.
For more ways to save and helpful environmental and recycling articles, check out our insightful tips for your home, your office, your travels, and your community.
5 Ways to Reduce Your Screen Time
A new study says that Americans average 8 hours in front of an energy sucking screen per day.
I have no right to scream fowl when it comes to how much of my time is spent in front of a screen. I'm a writer and I spend more time than I would ever like to admit with my finger tips glued to a keyboard. But when you do see the numbers, like in a new Video Consumer Mapping study, they are pretty staggering.
According to a recent study done by Ball State University's Center for Media Design (CMD) and Sequent Partners for the Nielsen-funded Council for Research Excellence (CRE), adult Americans spend an average of more than eight hours a day in front of screens whether it be televisions, computer monitors, cellphones, or other devices. Live television is still the largest culprit but computers are gaining fast. The number increases when people reach age 45 to an average of just over nine-and-a-half hours.
This certainly cannot be eliminated, I know, I depend on by keyboard for my livelihood, but with a few steps you can cut WAY back on all this time that sucks energy out of the planet and to be honest, you as well.
Cut back on web surfing.
This wastes an abundance of time when you're at work and it adds to your overall time in front of a computer. When you're working, do work, don't spend hours and hours a day surfing the web. When you're done with work, shut the computer down for another day.
Don't multitask in front of the television.
If you're cooking dinner, enjoy the experience of putting it together. Focus on chopping vegetables, whisking a batter, or dicing garlic instead of zoning out in front of the television. When you're folding laundry, take care to fold the laundry and don't watch endless tube as you do it. You'll cut back on electricity and you'll actually be present in your life.
Have Blackberry/phone free time.
When you get home from work put your Blackberry away and don't look at it until tomorrow. If it rings you can pick it up but don't check it every five minutes to see if another email has come in. We weren't meant to be this available. Learn to step away from work when you're done for the day. Work/life balance is truly an important part of enjoying your life and the people in it such as your family.
Adopt a new activity, one that doesn't involve numbing the mind.
That's truly what too much television can do. Instead on sitting back down, go for a run, engage the other parts of you body by walking the dog, mowing the lawn, hitting a yoga class, or cooking dinner with your significant other.
Step away from the computer and shut it down during meal times.
Don't eat your meals in front of the computer. Step away for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.Learn to enjoy your lunch, what it tastes like, and your free time without doing work at the same time and you'll drastically cut the time you spend in front of the screen.
(Source: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/work-connect/reduce-screen-time.html)
Be Green and Save Money without Spending a Dime
Lots of suggestions on how to be more green involve some type of initial investment. Switching from a Suburban to a Prius will save you money for sure, but there is also a large up front investment. Same with solar hot water heaters, more energy efficient appliances and reusable shopping bags.
There are six ideas to try after the jump that shouldn't cost you anything because you should already have what you need to implement them.
1. Hang your laundry to dry. Outside on a clothesline or put up a clothesline inside. Or put to use drying racks you already have. If you don't have any, ask around until you find some from friends and neighbors. Or, put things on plastic hangers and hang them on your shower rod in the bathroom.
2. Eat less meat. It's better for the planet and your wallet. You don't have to go totally vegetarian but start planning a few meat free meals each week. It will save you money, calories and help the Earth all in one!
3. If you have a programmable thermostat, make sure it's programmed properly. If you don't, put a note on the door to remind you to adjust it (or turn it off) before you leave each day. Also, this time of year, pay attention to the weather. Many days lately I can turn off the thermostat completely and open the windows.
4. Adjust your workweek. If you have a boss who is at all flexible, try for a deal to work four 10-hour days instead of five 8-hour days. Maybe agree to try it for one month and see how it works. Or, see if you can telecommute one day per week. Anything to cut down on driving! Plus it gives you more time to hang clothes out on the clothesline!
5. Pick one trip per week of 2 miles or less and use your bike instead of your car. Not possible? Pick one day when you will do no additional driving at all, except to the office if you must.
6. Use baking soda to clean almost anything (including your teeth) for much cheaper than traditional or green cleaning products.
(Source: http://www.greendaily.com/2008/10/08/be-green-and-save-money-without-spending-any/)
