Ten Ways to Celebrate Earth Day from Home
Updated April 2021
It’s April, and Earth Month! This year is the 51st anniversary of Earth Day. Due to the global Coronavirus/COVID-19 challenge, there will likely be fewer in-person events, but that doesn’t mean all is lost. Many of the events will be postponed, not canceled, and all of us can still celebrate from home! Below we’ve detailed ten great ways to celebrate Earth Day and Earth Month 2021:
1. Watch Earth Day Live!
Sign-up for details at https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2021/
2. Do a Solo Beach/Stream/River Clean-up
EarthDay.org had a HUGE plan to launch thousands of clean-ups globally via the “Great Global Cleanup” but unfortunately, these events are on hold as COVID-19 spreads. This is a great activity to do solo or *with your immediate household* if permitted in your area. Collect trash using gloves and a bucket or bags. Wear your mask, and make sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching your face or food.
3. Do an Upcycled Art Project
Check out this list of fun projects! 30 Earth Day Crafts and Activities Using Recycled Materials
4. Sign an Environmental Petition via Patagonia Action Works!
5. Donate to an Environmental Non-Profit
Find a non-profit near you that is helping our planet and give them a contribution to support their efforts and help them through this uncertain period. Consider supporting a certified Green Business non-profit, a few that work statewide (or globally!) are listed below. More can be found in our business directory.
Certified Green Business Environmental Non-Profits
| Organization | Focus | Donation/Learn More |
| Algalita | Work to shift the behaviors of people on land to reduce the plastics in the oceans. | Donate to Algalita |
| Center for Environmental Health | Protects the environment and population from dangerous chemicals through education and advocacy. | Donate to CEH |
| Climate Action Reserve | Encourage action to reduce GHG emissions by promoting the environmental impact and financial benefit of emissions reduction projects. | Donate to Climate Action Reserve |
| Coalition For Clean Air (CCA) | Working on air quality issues statewide. Goal: Protect public health, improve air quality, and prevent climate change. | Donate to Coalition for Clean Air |
| Ecology Action | Help reduce carbon emissions through energy efficiency programs, reduce water use, and run transportation programs. | Donate to Ecology Action |
| Food Forward | Fight hunger and food waste by rescuing surplus produce and connecting it to those in need. | Donate to Food Forward |
| Matter of Trust | Facilitate programs that link surplus with needs, promote naturally abundant renewable resources, and create inspirational ecological sites. | Donate to Matter of Trust |
| Natural Resources Defense Council | Help safeguard the Earth through policy, advocacy, regulation, and a large community of supporters. | Donate to NRDC |
| Pollinator Partnership | Initiatives to protect the well-being of nature’s pollinators at the government and industry level, as well as public education programs. | Donate to Pollinator Partnership |
| Sierra Club | Work towards climate solutions and conservation, utilizing philanthropic and grassroots advocacy. | Donate to Sierra Club |
| Surfrider Foundation | Dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of oceans, waves, and beaches through a powerful activist network. | Donate to Surfrider Foundation |
| The Pachamama Alliance | Fight for indigenous peoples of the Amazon rainforest to protect and conserve their lands. Global community working for a sustainable future. | Donate to The Pachamama Alliance |
6. Support Green Businesses
Why: Certified Green Businesses save water, energy, and waste and have been certified by your local Green Business Program. By supporting them, you’re shopping your values and keeping the Green Economy going!
How: It’s easy to find Green Businesses near you that are doing their part to reduce their impact and help make their communities more sustainable.
Two Easy Ways to Find a Green Business Near You
- Search our Green Business Directory.
- Download the Shop Green App (new iOS version!) here or Android version here.
7. Start a Covid-19 Victory Garden
Why: Now is a great time to start your very own Covid-19 Victory Garden to help keep your family a bit more resilient and have some hyper-local produce this summer.
How: Plant a Victory Garden to combat coronavirus fears and isolation
8. Get Solar Quotes
Why: Reduce your energy bills and produce clean power for your home and the grid. We regularly saw 4-7 year payback times on solar systems in 2020. Most companies can provide a quote virtually making this a great stay-at-home activity!
How: We recommend getting quotes from one of our trusted Green Business solar installers, check the directory here. If there aren’t any near you, check out EnergySage to get multiple quotes at once, energysage.com.
9. Sign-up for a Local Organic CSA
Why: Support local jobs, cut out the middleman, boost organic agriculture, and this is a minimal contact way to get fresh produce!
How: Search the Local Harvest directory, talk to vendors at your local farmer’s market, ask friends! Google CSA near me and you’ll find even more options.
10. Make the Switch! Up Your Energy Savings in 2021
Saving energy at home is much easier than most people think. Here’s where the opportunity exists in a typical US household according to the EIA:
Save on Water Heating
Tweak Your Temp
Turning down your water heater’s temperature 10 degrees Fahrenheit saves 3 to 5 percent on your energy cost!
Wash with Cold
75% of the energy used for a load of laundry comes from heating the water (source)! Using cold water also helps clothing last longer (lowering its impact). Set the washer to the “bright colors” or cold water setting and use a healthy detergent option that works well with cold water (we recommend GreenSeal, EPA Safer Choice, or UL Ecologo certified options).
Shorten Your Showers
Save energy AND water! Use an efficient shower head that flows at 1.5 gallons per minute (GPM), this swap alone may save 30%-50%. Try to keep your shower time to 5-10 minutes maximum and you’ll be on your way to savings!
Save on Lighting
Switch to LEDs
Save ~50% by switching CFLs or fluorescent bulbs to LEDs.
Save ~90% by switching incandescent bulbs to LEDs.
Search for replacement bulbs at your local hardware store (see if there’s a Green Business option near you here) or online, make sure the profile and color temperature of the bulbs fit your needs. Note: Prioritize switching bulbs that are used for the most hours each day, then slowly switch less frequently used bulbs.
Save on Space Heating and Cooling
Ducts
Keeping your heating and cooling ducts inside the conditioned space of your home will reduce energy loss.
Seal It Up
Seal doors and windows with weatherstripping or caulk. Look to see if a free energy audit is available in your area once this health crisis passes.
Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats help you monitor your system from your phone anywhere. Make sure heating/cooling aren’t left on and follow these recommendations: Heat your home to 68° or cooler, let it drop to 60° or lower at night. Cool your home to 78° or warmer.
Find more ideas at www.energyupgradeca.org
BONUS ACTION: HELP GROW OUR IMPACT!
The California Green Business Network is ready and willing to help your local businesses improve their triple bottom line *virtually* during this Coronavirus crisis. Refer a business to us by reaching out to your local Program Director here or get your business started on its Green Business certification journey, here.
ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA GREEN BUSINESS NETWORK
The California Green Business Network helps local businesses conserve energy, water, minimize waste, prevent pollution, and shrink their carbon footprints through a voluntary certification available statewide. This important work takes place thanks to the generous support of the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) and many legislative champions from across the State.
4,500+ certified California Green Businesses combined to achieve some impressive environmental outcomes in 2020:
Learn about the California Green Business Network, how to become a Green Business, or where you can support Green Businesses near you at greenbusinessca.org.