Earth Day 2022: 5 Ways to Invest in Our Planet

You might be aware that April 22nd is Earth Day 2022, but why do we celebrate Earth Day and what is Earth Day all about? Earth Day is a day of global awareness and support for environmental protection. With the growing climate crisis, it’s important for everyone to play a role when it comes to investing in our planet.

How Earth Day Started

Why is April 22nd Earth Day and when was the first Earth Day? In 1969, Senator Gaylord Nelson and Republican Congressman Pete McCloskey recruited activist Denis Hayes to organize college campus teach-ins with the goal of environmental awareness. They selected April 22, 1970, for the very first Earth Day because it was a weekday falling between spring break and final exams, to encourage a high level of student participation.

From the first Earth Day in 1970 to Earth Day 2022, Americans have been taking action to protect the environment. If you want to know how to celebrate Earth Day, learn about a few ways you can invest in our planet on April 22nd.

Find Earth Day Events Near You

Do an online search for “Earth Day events near me” or check the list of online webinars at earthday.org. You can also collect litter (with the proper equipment), learn about recycling, plant seeds, take a nature walk to learn about local wildlife conservation efforts, hang a bird feeder, or learn how to compost. Check the websites for your city, county, or local library to see if they have any Earth Day activities for kids or families planned.

Help Plant Trees for Reforestation

Planting trees is one of the best ways of taking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere to aid the climate crisis. In addition to reducing removing carbon dioxide from the air, they release oxygen into the atmosphere while providing habitat for wildlife. Attend a local tree planting event, plant a sapling in your yard, or do some online research about The Canopy Project.

Switch to Reusable Shopping Bags

Invest in recyclable shopping bags and store them somewhere convenient so that you always remember to bring them to the store with you. If you drive to the store, keep your bags in your car. If you bike, keep them in your basket. If you walk, store your reusable bags near your front door. Besides being made from fossil fuels, the average plastic bag is only used for 10-20 minutes. In fact, plastic bags may last up to 1,000 years in our landfills.

Shrink Your Foodprint

Foodprints measure the environmental impacts related to growing, producing, transporting, and storing of food. Reduce your foodprint on Earth Day April 22nd by eating less meat, eating more plant-based protein, cutting down on plastic packaging, eating locally sourced food when possible, and cutting back on dairy products.

Select Garden Plants for Pollinators

Support pollinators in your garden by selecting the right plants. Butterflies love coneflowers, goldenrod, and asters. Bees gravitate toward clover, calendula, and echinacea. Hummingbirds like brightly-colored flowers that are tubular like daylilies, lupines, and petunias.

Since you have the answer to the question, “What is Earth Day?” and know how you can make an impact, help spread the word. Do your part to limit climate change and have a happy Earth Day!