What started as a lights-out event expanded into a global event to raise awareness for climate change. Earth Hour is held every year on the last Saturday in March at 8:30 pm. The event has evolved far past switching off lights toward a global movement to raise awareness for the climate. Earth Hour is a great time to consider what we can do For the Greener GoodTM.
The original Earth Hour included turning off the lights, even if just for that short time. Who doesn’t love a candle-lit dinner or a night of stargazing? It might be a great night to get in a spring night hike with some friends or family.
Make a planet-friendly meal. A healthier planet means tastier food, and it doesn’t have to be hard to make! Some tasty options can be found here. Remember to keep food as locally sourced as possible. The closer your food is produced; the fewer emissions are created to preserve and transport it. We love farmer’s markets. Feel like stretching for a no-waste meal? Maybe try to compost any food scraps, go without the plastic bags when picking up produce, and minimize your water use during clean-up.
Are you not feeling ready to try something new? That’s okay. Make it a leftovers night. The best way to prevent waste is to keep it from happening. Use up what you have and you’re doing your part.
Whether for the day, the hour, or even ten minutes, get out into nature. The American Psychological Association (APA) says that there is growing evidence to support the link between spending time in nature and improvements in mood, mental health, and emotional well-being. The research showed feeling connected to nature can also bring those benefits, regardless of how much time is spent outdoors.
Earth Hour is a great time to learn which recyclables your municipality accepts. Not all facilities accept the same materials. It’s important to review any information provided either on the bins provided or on the recycling facility website. Check the lid of your recycling cart or bin. Typically, this is the first place for provided instructions. Next stop, your municipality’s website to find any additional information, such as which plastics your city accepts. If you don’t know if it can be recycled, check first. Contamination leads to recycling being unable to be utilized. You can read more on contamination here.
There is a misconception that recycling facilities do not recycle everything they receive. Different cities have different levels of recycling capabilities. Know what types of materials are accepted by your community’s recycling so that you do not contaminate the stream. Tossing items that are not recyclable in hopes that they will ultimately be recycled is called “wish-cycling.”
Volunteer. Donate. Get out and help your community For the Greener Good. Earth Hour is about raising awareness for the environment and the ever-growing need for care around our actions. Whether you’re organizing a park cleanup with your friends, taking part in a larger Earth Hour event, or simply taking part in the online conversation, getting involved in your community in a small way can have a big impact. When it comes to the environment, every little bit helps.