Today is Earth Day, a day that we pull together to celebrate this big beautiful planet that we all share. We all need to do our part to make this world a clean and safe place for us all to live for many generations to come. Here is a little list to help you learn how you can make a difference.
1. Protect our Oceans: Plastic waste is being dumped into our oceans every day and is being found in the stomachs of fish, whales and even seabirds. You can make a dramatic difference by selecting reusable containers instead of single use plastic. Refuse the straw! You can also participate in local beach clean ups.
2. Protect our Species: Avoid using chemical pesticides on your plants, which are killing the honey bees and other insects. This also goes for rat poisons that are consumed by raptors and other predators.
Use sunscreens that are oxybenzone-free to prevent coral bleaching.
Stop the ivory trade by never taking part in the import, sale, purchase, or possession of ivory.
Boycott and speak out against the cruel practices of putting elephants in the circus or other entertainment services.
Avoid buying products that contain palm oil, which is found in the Great Apes natural habitat and has led to a significant drop in orangutan populations.
Speak up against cruel hunting practices that kill wildlife such as coyotes, bobcats, wolves and bears. Predators keep our eco-system in check and play a critical role in our environment.
3. Donate to worthy causes: There are tons of organizations who are laying the ground work on important issues. If you can't donate money than donate your time or talents.
A few organizations that I support are:
Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF)
Shoot'emwithacamera
Girls Who Click
National Audubon Society
World Wildlife Fund
the Jane Goodall Institute
The Nature Conservancy
Disneynature
San Diego Zoo
Wyoming Wildlife Advocates
WildCare
African Wildlife Foundation
The Cougar Fund
But there are plenty more worthy groups out there that need your help.
4. Get Political (Probably the most important)
As citizens, the power is in our hands to make large-scale changes in environmental policy by voting in favor of candidates who are dedicated to saving the planet. During election time, whether it's for the local, state or national government, examine the climate and environmental platforms of your candidates and then vote at the ballot box for the candidates with clear plans to protect our planet.
Another way to get political is to protest current laws and government officials who go against helping the environment. Organize a march with your school, friends, neighborhood, company, or whole community to show elected officials this is an issue their constituents are passionate about. Sign a petition to directly combat specific laws that might be passed that will threaten endangered species or allow for the further destruction of the environment. By putting pressure on the people in charge, change is more likely to happen.
Protect our Oceans
Protect our Endangered Species
Protect our Public Lands
Protect our Rivers
Protect our Forest
Protect our Earth...
All photos by: Jennifer Leigh Warner Experience Wildlife
