FIVE WAYS YOU CAN CELEBRATE EARTH DAY WITH YOUR FAMILY

This Earth Day take some action with your family towards a more sustainable future. Here are five activities you can do leading up to Earth Day. Hopefully many can be adapted into your daily life.

The time is now to start making significant changes to solve the climate crisis. We owe it to the world’s children to protect nature and build a healthier planet.

Connect with nature

One of the best and easiest ways to celebrate Earth Day is to get outside and explore the nature around you. Take a walk with your family at a local park and observe wildlife in their natural habitats. Encourage your children to be curious about what they see, which will help them develop a love for nature and our planet.  Remember as you walk in nature; “Take only pictures, leave only footprints.”

 

 

 

Go Veg for the Day

Since the consumption of meat can take a toll on environmental resources, try out some fresh and vibrant vegetarian options. Cooking can be a great way to bond with family, be creative and have fun! Do not be afraid to experiment with flavours and ingredients to create new recipes. Check out a fun focaccia recipe by Save the Children brand ambassador Roger Mooking here.

 

Build a vegetable garden

Since you may be eating more veggies with your new recipes, why not grow them too?! Kids enjoy planting seeds, watching them grow and eventually eating their produce. Starting a garden can help children understand more about nature, build their sense of responsibility and enhance their self-esteem. If you’re new to gardening, starting with herbs like basil and dill can be an easy win. Then you can try things like tomatoes and zucchini – both easily found at local garden centres.

 

Recycle E-Waste

Did you know that electronic waste (e-waste) is the fastest growing waste stream in the world? Have a look at home for any outdated electronics and ensure they are properly recycled instead of taking up space or leaching toxins in a landfill. If you are not sure where to recycle your old and unused electronics check out this site: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/Oca-bc.nsf/eng/ca03016.html

 

Walk, bike or bus it!

Consider using alternative transportation instead of the family car. Hop on the bus, take a nice walk or ride your bike to a destination you would usually drive to. This simple action can be a fun way to try something new and reduce your carbon footprint. If you’re doing this with your family, it can be a learning opportunity figuring out maps and schedules. If you’re on two wheels or two feet, bringing a compass along is a fun way to engage kids with a bit of navigation.