Allisen Anderson
REELECTIONS ON CREATIVITY: CELEBRATE EARTH DAY CREATIVELY Happy Creativity Week and Earth Day, everyone! These two special occasions go hand in hand. Our planet is amazing, but it needs our creative minds to help it to continue to thrive. That’s why each year on April 22 more than a billion people celebrate Earth Day to protect the planet from things like pollution and deforestation. This year is very special indeed as it marks the 50th year for Earth Day! As we are all at home, we can ask ourselves, “How can I creatively make a difference this Earth Day?” You can celebrate and protect the planet at the same time, even while practicing social distancing. Be an Earth Hero! Check out these fun and easy Earth Day ideas to help save the planet today and every day. Become a Waste Warrior! Did you know the average American throws away between four to five pounds of trash each day? Toilet paper tubes, made from cardboard, take two months to decompose in a landfill. A plastic bottle sticks around for way longer – it can take over 450 years to break down! But instead of turning to the trash bin, you could turn these items into an awesome telescope or a flower planter. Before you throw something away, think about whether it can be recycled or re-purposed. Be creative! One man’s trash is another man’s cool creation. Plant a Tree! Researchers estimate roughly 15 billion trees in the world are cut down each year, so help offset that loss by planting a tree of your own. Trees provide shade, absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen for people to breathe and provide shelter and food for animals and people, too! Turn off the Lights! Electricity doesn’t just happen. Electricity is made from natural resources. Natural resources are valuable things we get from the Earth. Some of these resources we have plenty of, like sunlight and wind. Other resources have a limited supply of, like coal and petroleum. No matter if our electricity is created from renewable or non-renewable resources, try conserving electrical energy by using only what you need. Limit Your Water Usage! It might seem like it’s everywhere, but clean, drinkable water is a limited resource. In fact, less than one percent of the water on Earth can be used by humans. (The rest is either too salty or too difficult to access.) Turning off the faucet when you brush your teeth can conserve gallons of water a day. To help save even more water, challenge yourself to take a shorter shower (but still get clean!). Offer Your Time! Volunteer to pick up trash in your neighborhood. Make sure to wear gloves, bring a garbage bag to collect the trash and wash your hands when you are finished. By getting involved, you’re not just helping the Earth – you’re engaging in nature, mindfulness, creativity and bettering the world. How great is that? As Outreach Educator for the Porter County (Indiana) Recycling and Waste Reduction District, Allison Andersen provides earth-friendly programs for Porter County K-8 students. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and her continuing education focuses on environmental issues such as water quality, ecosystem sustainability and education through outdoor nature opportunities. She is a member of the Environmental Education Association of Indiana (EEAI). This article is part of a series, “Reflections on Creativity,” sponsored by the Center for Creative Solutions, celebrating April’s World Creativity and Innovation Week.
- Start: 15 April 2020
- End: 15 April 2020
- Attendance:
- Location: N/A , , United States
