Earth Day may seem like one of those holidays you learned in elementary school but disappeared as an adult.
In 2022, when it seems like there are more crises than we have the capacity to focus on, it may be time for an Earth Day rebrand. The day was originally started in 1970 when peace activist John McConnell proposed a day to honor the planet and promote peace.
Every year has a theme, and this year the theme is Investing in our planet. Elite Daily has partnered with Meta to do just that – invest in improving our environment through community action, using Instagram Reels to raise funds, and making small lifestyle changes that take just minutes. Meta climate activists spoke to Elite Daily about how they've given back, from organizing a "Beach Clean Up" campaign to elevating conversations around environmental and social justice issues.
1. Go locally
For Nate Evans, co-founder of sustainable travel company Beautiful Destinations, eco-friendly travel starts with going local. When traveling, opt for locally owned restaurants, hotels and shops. “By choosing local, you can financially support the destination you're in and reduce your share of the transportation emissions that come from importing goods from other countries,” he tells us.
Another travel tip Evans suggests is to travel by car or train instead of flying when possible. The New York Times reported last year that commercial air travel accounts for about 3-4% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, especially for those who went to gamble at land-based casinos rather than rely on online alternatives like Casino777 blackjack. If you're planning a short trip, consider taking some extra time to travel by train - it's also a fun way to see the country's unexplored backroads.
2. Think small
For activist Zyahna Bryant, “small, intentional actions” can add so much more. If you have extra time and want to build community locally, volunteer at your local community garden or see if your area has any recycling and reuse nonprofits where you can spend a few hours a month. If you're in the middle of a particularly busy time in your life, maybe you don't have a lot of extra time to volunteer – but you can think about which brands to choose.
Whether it's shopping for sustainable fashion brands or buying a reusable coffee cup instead of using endless paper cups at coffee shops, take a few minutes to think about your daily routine and what eco-friendly changes you can make. “For me, this means buying products that save energy, supporting clean brands that use recycled materials, and also supporting companies that are committed to reducing their footprints,” Bryant says.
3. Make it personal
Something as broad and multifaceted as environmentalism can seem a little too abstract to know how to approach. This Earth Day – or any day! – take a few minutes to think about what doing something means to you and why it seems so important to you. It seems counterintuitive, but it's okay to be a little selfish. Maybe you're thinking about the beach where you grew up or you want to create a better world for your children. Let your personal interests lead you to a cause or organization that benefits groups much larger than you.
For Caelynn Miller-Keyes, a reality show contestant and environmental influencer, this meant cutting out the meat and visit national parks Americans. “Once I realized the impact of meat on the environment, I started doing more and more research into other ways I could be more proactive,” she tells Elite Daily. “Once I started traveling to different national parks, climbing and hiking, I became even more passionate about land conservation.”