Celebrate Earth Day

Earth Day 2021 is just around the corner and it is your reminder that you can make a difference. This year on April 22nd marks the 51st annual Earth Day, a day devoted to focusing on the impact our actions have on our precious home, Planet Earth.

The theme of this year’s Earth Day is ‘Restore our Earth” which highlights the need to reduce the negative effects we create for the planet by being more conscious of our everyday choices as we recover from the pandemic. We are also encouraged to find solutions to help the planet heal from damage we’ve already done.

It is too often that we carry on with our everyday lives without putting the Earth’s needs into consideration. For instance, did you know that the fashion industry is one of the top contributors to waste production in the world. It makes me think twice before I go out and splurge on the latest designs. Bigger brands in the make-up and skin care industries have also greatly contributed to the waste we find in our waterways as well. Luckily there are more conscious brands and eco-friendly solutions we can focus on to diminish the damage they’ve done.

It may seem like the Earth’s problems are too large of scale for us to face individually but that is not at all the case. Each and every one of us can play our part to improve the planet’s conditions.

Here are some of the things you can do to make a difference today.

Buy recycled fashion.
Why continue to support an industry that is literally destroying our planet? I totally get wanting the hottest and latest fashion trends, but it is evident that trends are always making a comeback. It’s about how you wear the clothes and how you feel in them so why not shop at consignment or second-hand stores instead. I’ve found some of my most glamorous looks at consignment stores and just think, every time you buy second-hand, you’re doing your part in saving the planet, not to mention saving what’s in your wallet as well!

Buy eco- friendly skin care products.
There are companies now that have created zero waste products meaning they use less wasteful packaging and zero synthetic ingredients. Not only will you be helping our dear planet, but you will be exposing your own skin to less harmful chemicals as well. It’s a win win.

Shop at Reformation.
Now if you absolutely cannot stand the idea of wearing clothes that have already been worn and you still want to make a positive impact on the environment there is a solution for you too! Reformation has developed a sustainable clothing line using eco-friendly and recycled materials. They have created some super fashionable looks that do not harm the environment and they are totally worth checking out.

Take eco- friendly vitamins.
Now you may have not known this, but the vitamin industry has quite the negative impact on the environment as well, seems ironic since they are promoting good health. Both the packaging and how the ingredients are soured along with certain chemicals used as fillers all can be detrimental to the planet. Look into eco- friendly vitamin brands and make sure you check all the ingredients before you buy.

Shop eco- friendly and sustainable companies for ALL the products you buy.
Make-up, hair products and cleaning products too. Companies are making a huge effort to reduce their footprint and you can do the same by making conscious choices to include them when you shop.

Go Vegetarian or Vegan, at least for a few meals a week.
Plant-rich diets reduce emissions and also tend to be healthier, leading to lower rates of chronic disease. According to the book Drawdown, business-as-usual emissions could be reduced by as much as 70 percent through adopting a vegan diet and 63 percent for a vegetarian diet.

It’s wonderful that Earth Day is here to bring us awareness of how we can do better for our precious home but let’s not limit the celebrations to just one day, let’s make it a lifestyle. It’s time to put the Earth’s needs right up there with our own, because after all we wouldn’t be alive without her.