Earth Day Facts

Who: Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day while working as a US senator. One billion people worldwide are now a part of this celebration. Earthy Day was renamed officially by the UN in 2009 as International Mother Earth Day.

What: Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

When: The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970.

Earth Day originated in the US but became recognized worldwide by 1990. It’s now celebrated in more than 193 countries.

Why: Earth Day continues to grow as a worldwide phenomenon focused on promoting clean living and a healthy, sustainable habitat for people and wildlife alike. Celebrating Earth Day serves as a conscious reminder of how fragile our planet is and how important it is to protect it.

Every year on April 22, children through adults plant trees and flowers, clean up coral reefs, sign petitions, show movies, collect garbage, ride bikes, and plan for a better future for our planet!

Earth Day aims to “build the world’s largest environmental movement to drive transformative change for people and the plant.” The movement’s mission is “to diversify, educate, and activate the environmental movement worldwide.”

Earth Day Activities

15 simple lifestyle changes that can have a profound impact and save the earth:

1. Plant something: Developing your green thumb can save you money and reduce food waste. Try an herb or vegetable garden.

2. Add plants to your home: Bringing greenery into your home can help regulate the temperature through the moisture they release into the air.

3. Switch to reusable bags: BYOB (bring your suitcase) and reduce the need for plastic.

4. Use a refillable water bottle: Replace your regular single-use plastic bottles with a reusable water bottle.

5. Shop local: Get produce from a local farmer’s market or invest in Community Supporter Agriculture (CSA)

6. Unsubscribe to junk mail: Save some trees and remove your name from that mailing list.

7. Spend time outside: The most straightforward way to celebrate the Earth is to explore it. Check out your nearest park or hiking trail. Enjoy the beauty of the earth!

8. Leave the car at home: Fewer vehicles on the road means less air pollution and less traffic. Ride your bike or take public transit.

9. Wash laundry in cold water: About 90% of your washing machine's energy goes towards heating the water. Wash your laundry on the cold water setting for at least one load a week to save energy.

10. Shop eco-friendly household products: Instead of single-use, disposable items, look for “green” products that are reusable, sustainably sourced, or recycled materials.

11. Forgo towels: Try using cloth napkins.

12. Ditch the plastic straws: Americans use nearly 500 million plastic straws daily. Replace plastic straws with a set of reusable ones made from stainless steel, silicone, or bamboo. Sea animals will thank you!

13. Volunteer at an environmental organization: There are many ways to celebrate the planet. Organizations like The Wilderness Society work all year round to protect the environment.

14. Plant a tree: Billions of trees are cut down every year to create the things that we use daily. Why not give one back?

15. Go meatless: The UN reports that the meat industry contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. It’s also estimated that over 1,800 gallons of water are used to produce just a single pound of beef. See below for a meat-free recipe from Jene Claiborne of Sweet Potato Soul. It’s so good!

Vegan Crab Cakes with Red Pepper Aoili

Ingredients

CAKES

1 can chickpeas

2 cans hearts of palm, chopped into large pieces

1 jalapeño, seeded and minced

¼ cup vegan mayonnaise

1½-2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning

1 teaspoon umeboshi plum vinegar

1 teaspoon dijon mustard

1 cup panko bread crumbs + ½ cup for coating

RED PEPPER AIOLI

½ cup vegan mayo

4 roasted red peppers (from jar, and dried off)

1/4 cup dill, fresh

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon black pepper

Preparation

Place the chickpeas, hearts of palm and jalapenos into a food processor and pulse to combine and mash. Don't over process it though, you still want some crabby texture.

Scoop the chickpea mixture into a large bowl and add the vinegar, Old Bay, mustard, mayo and 1 cup panko breadcrumbs. Stir well to combine.

Place the remaining ½ cup of panko in a shallow dish.

Heat an oil coated skillet on medium-high heat. Form the "crab" mixture into small patties-making sure to pack the mixture tightly, and then coat in the panko in the shallow dish.

Pan fry for 3 minutes on each side.

Do this with the remaining batter. I usually fit 5 patties on the skillet at a time. When they are cooked, transfer them to a plate covered with paper towel.

Serve with a dollop of red pepper aioli and fresh greens.

Recipe taken from: https://sweetpotatosoul.com/