How Will You Benefit From Earth Day 2010?

No matter where you are in the world, by now you know Earth Day 2010 is Thursday, April 22nd. What you may not know is Earth Day is celebrating its 40th Anniversary. That’s right. Back in 1970, someone decided that because “all people, regardless of race, gender, income, or geography, have a moral right to a healthy, sustainable environment“, it was time to educate people on how to attain that.

40 years later, Earth Day Network has more than 20,000 partners in their quest, organizations in 190 countries participate or contribute to Earth Day activities and more than a billion people worldwide join together to show their desire to obtain a healthy, sustainable environment.

But how does that affect you? How can you benefit from Earth Day 2010?

You can attend a local event. You can sign a pledge to make a change or contribute to bettering the world around you. You can even organize your own Earth Day event.

When it all comes down to it though, what are you going to get out of Earth Day 2010? The purpose behind Earth Day isn’t to have people “show their support” for one day and then go back to their old habits and routines. If you are going to participate in Earth Day, and I hope you will, then make sure you come away with something.

Come away with a new outlook on how your actions affect the environment around you. Decide to make a change, no matter how small, to live a more sustainable life and follow through with that decision.

The Earth Day Network supports events and activities focused around many key issues including: advocacy, climate change, conservation and biodiversity, education, energy, food and agriculture, green economy, green schools, recycling and waste reduction, sustainable development and water.

There is at least one activity/change almost anyone can get behind. Some do-it-yourself Earth Day ideas that might interest you include:

1) Disneynature: In celebration of Earth, go see Disneynature’s new film, Oceans. The new film, Oceans, is set to hit the big screen on Thursday, April 22nd and for all those who go see the film between April 22nd and April 28th a portion of the ticket sales will go to help protect coral reefs. It’s a simple and entertaining activity you can participate in that can help make a difference. Just take a look at this trailer:

2) Billion Acts of Green: Take one minute out of your day and make a green resolution. Whether it’s to start recycling, eat out less, lower your vehicle emissions, walk or bike more, make your home and office more energy efficient or buy less/waste less, just post your act of green. Making and following through on a green resolution is a good way for you to keep things going even after Earth Day.

3) Green Your Garden:  If you have a garden, cut out the chemicals. If you don’t have a garden, put one together.

Whether you want to grow your own fresh vegetables or herbs or just enjoy some beautiful flowers, starting a garden is a great way to connect back to nature and go organic. Here are a few more tips that can help you both in the garden and around the house to have a bio-friendly Spring and year.

4) Create a Going Green Today Action Plan: If you are truly serious about doing something to make a healthier, more sustainable environment then why not put together a plan for yourself? Not only could you lower your environmental impact, but you could end up saving yourself a decent amount of money as well.

You can also check out PineMark and get yourself the PineMark Certification™ that proves you are living a truly sustainable life. It’s the first and only individual environmental certification available to consumers.

5) Pick 5 for the environment: The U.S. EPA wants you to get out there and DO SOMETHING for the environment this Earth Day. I agree, we need to get out there and not just talk about what we are going to do, but go do it.

You can start by picking five actions you can/will do for the environment. Then once you’ve made your choice, make a quick 10-second “It’s My Environment” video to show a simple action you are taking for the environment. Look how easy it is:

Whatever you decide to do, just remember that Earth Day 2010 isn’t just about one day. It’s about getting people educated, interested and active in making their lives healthier and more sustainable and thus making a better environment for us all.

Do you have a special Earth Day event you are attending? I’d love to know what your plans are for Earth Day and beyond.

Images via: Earthday.org, Zepfanman.com and karendotcom127 on Flickr and Nan Fischer at desertverde.com.