Two Easy Ways To Take Action For The Environment

Photo Credit: Flickr/SchultzLab

We all lead busy lives which leave little time for participating in environmental activism.  Sure, it would be great to attend rallies and city council meetings to make your voice heard on issues that are important to you and the state of the environment (and kudos to those of you who do make time for such activities!)  But many of us are just trying to hold down jobs and families and we think “someday I will have time to be more of an environmental activist.”

Well, there are two perfect events coming up that promote family togetherness and the environment at the same time!  And you don’t have to go anywhere or give a speech or hold a picket sign.

On Saturday March 26^th from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm, turn out the lights for Earth Hour.  Families and businesses across the world have been participating in this annual event since 2007.  It is really very simple – live for one hour without the aid of electricity.  Turn off the lights, turn down the thermostat, and don’t use appliances for this sliver of time.  By committing to one hour of no or limited electricity use, you are participating in a collective effort to promote energy conservation.  Imagine how much we will be saving in resources and air pollution if even just a fraction of the population joins in! 

And really, it is just one hour.  Grab some candles and turn off the computer, spend the hour with your family doing whatever you like.  Try board games, charades, rousing conversation, walking through the neighborhood, or any combination of fun bonding activities.  Another fun thing to do is to check your power meter before you switch everything off to see how fast it spins and then check it again after to see how much you slowed it down.  Why not have an Earth Hour party and invite your friends to join you?  Especially the ones who might not otherwise participate.  Just be sure to remind them to turn off the lights at their house before they come to yours.

Another great opportunity to join a collective effort is on Sunday June 5^th all day, commit to the Empty Streets Movement.  This one involves a little more planning and you are committing to an entire day but I think you can do it.  Don’t drive.  It is that easy.  You can take public transportation or walk or ride your bike, so you will not be trapped in your home.  But you will be taking single occupancy vehicles off the street for one day and the possible effects of that are huge!  And on second thought, what is so bad about staying home in your jammies all day on a Sunday?  With just a little planning, you should be able to avoid the car for 24 hours.  What is close by that you can walk or bike to instead of driving?  Can you run your errands on a different day?  Can you tell your teenager that you are taking a break from your regular chauffeur duties?

Whether you participate in one or both activities, you will likely find that you feel very good about being part of a larger effort.  How can you not?  These are two of the easiest ways to join thousands of people in taking a stand in something really important.  And you may find that you like what happens in your house when you conserve a bit.  You will spend quality time together with your family and you will save money on your power bill and gas costs.  Maybe you will institute your own periodic household demonstrations throughout the year.  How about a monthly no power evening or no car day?  Give it a shot, what have you got to lose?

You can find out more about these events on the, Earth Hour and Empty Streets Movement websites.  Also find both on Facebook and Twitter to follow the latest news for each event and to let them know you are joining. 

Eco Home Consultations provides green living consultation services in the Seattle area, focusing on practical ways to integrate green living into your household.  Learn more at www.ecohomeconsults.com or email questions about this blog or other green living issues to Melissa@ecohomeconsults.com.