This can be done with a simple bite into a fresh carrot!
Story by Judy Spaar
That carrot you grew in your own garden, that is. This is one of the many ways to celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd. As children, we may remember our parents or Scout leaders telling us we should plant a tree in honor of the day, which was celebrated for the first time in 1970.
A nature-loving senator from Wisconsin organized a national demonstration to raise awareness about environmental issues. Other like-minded folks held rallies, and by the end of that year, our US government created the Environmental Protection Agency. Fast forward to 1990, when amazingly, Earth Day was celebrated by over 140 countries around the globe!
Today, we are aware more than ever that this planet we inhabit is ever changing, and needs attention to keep it, shall we say, blooming and flowing. Over a billion people all over the world realize we are all in the same proverbial boat when it comes to controlling pollution and such. Simply choosing a locale to pick up litter and plant trees is a simple way to do our part.
A sobering fact is that the number of garbage trucks we Americans fill each year would stretch halfway to the moon. Toilet paper tubes actually take two months to decompose in a landfill, not to mention all those plastic bottles, which take over 450 years to break down. So, before you throw anything away, see if it can be repurposed, as many trash companies offer curbside recycling.
You can feel good about all the glass wine and beer bottles, and other glass jars you dump into those purple bins that Boulevard Brewery and Ripple Glass place in so many convenient locations around town.
Boulevard started this project in 2009, when they realized Kansas Citians threw away 150 million pounds of perfectly good glass. This, of course include some 10 million empty Boulevard bottles… lost forever in landfills. The community-minded people at Boulevard, along with the support of local companies and community organizations, came up with Ripple Glass, which constructed a state-of-the-art processing plant and placed those dedicated recycling bins in the metro area.
A local company converts the recycled glass into fiberglass insulation, saving amounts of energy and lowering emissions, while a business in Tulsa turns amber glass back into bottles. This “Ripple” effect has spread with those purple bins now being spotted in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska.
Visit rippleglass.com to find a location near you. Get the kids involved and place a plastic tub in reach, perhaps in the garage, so they can throw in their glass items.
Another way to celebrate Earth Day every day is to simply turn off electric lights when the sun is shining through your windows. This conserves energy and improves your mood. And remember, for every mile you walk instead of driving, you are keeping nearly one pound of pollution from the air you breathe.
As the weather warms, plan a trip to your favorite local nursery. Smelling the fresh dirt and poring through garden seeds will awaken your senses and inspire you to get out and plant a vegetable garden. There is nothing like growing your own lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, and zucchini to use in your salads.
Plant a tree that will shade your yard. Or spread wildflower seeds across a space and watch their colors come to life! Whether you have room to dig in the dirt, create a raised box garden, or go with vertical gardening, there are plenty of online tips to make this a pleasure.
We are lucky to have the most environmentally minded place in the area… the Kansas City Zoo! You and your family can enjoy interactive exhibits that bring you up close to the animals and learn about conservation efforts that support wildlife preservation. They are hosting a Party for the Planet on Saturday and Sunday, April 25–26 as they celebrate Earth Day at the Zoo. It’s a weekend dedicated to appreciating and protecting our planet. Mark your calendar and plan to be part of the celebration! More details will be available closer to the event on their website.
Another way you can join other nature lovers is to visit a farmers’ market and speak with the creative folks selling natural foods and vegetables, artists, and others who preserve nature. If you are a crafter or a grower, consider setting up your own stand or booth and enlist your family to join in.
Earth Day is a perfect time to explore places like the Trolley Track Trail, Blue River Parkway, and Indian Creek Trail. You can bike them or walk them and notice the beauty of all the natural areas we are lucky to experience in our city.
If this renowned international day is an impetus for you to change a few things in your daily life, then those founders would be proud that their tradition is continuing.
