20 Days of Sustainable Living Tips
This series is designed to showcase small, actionable steps that anyone can take in order to make your lifestyle more sustainable. It doesn’t matter what level of sustainable living you are already on. These tips are intended to help you more easily navigate this new “trend” of being kind to our earth. Let’s work hard to make it more than a trend. We can make it our lifestyle. Learn daily tips here and on Facebook every week day in February 2017 during a live chat about the Sustainable Living Tip of the day. Everything can be done in a sustainable way. Let’s tackle a new sustainable living issue today!
Quick Facts:
- Consumerism has led to gift-giving holidays that increase pollution. There is a 25% increase in average household waste between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day each year. [1]
- There are over 70 environmental recognized holidays, weeks and months in the world. See more at Wikipedia for Environmental Dates.
Annual American Sustainable Holidays
You can make any holiday more sustainable by being more conscious about what you purchase and how you discard of waste. As you can see, there are so many days and ways dedicated solely to celebrating our Earth. I believe these holidays are just as, if not more, important than the big commercialized holidays. One of the best gifts that we can present our loved ones with is a world that is not in disrepair. Here are a few sustainable holidays for you to start celebrating today.
World Wetlands Day
February 2nd, annually
Since 1997, WWD has been celebrated in order to teach people of the importance that the wetlands play in the Earth’s environment. Learn more about World Wetlands Day.
International Day of Forests
March 21, annually
Established by the United Nations in 2012, this holiday is to celebrate and educate people about the importance of forests and trees everywhere. Also called “Forests Day,” planting trees is a popular way to celebrate. Learn more about the International Day of Forests.
From the UN:
“Forests cover one third of the Earth’s land mass, performing vital functions around the world. Around 1.6 billion people – including more than 2,000 indigenous cultures – depend on forests for their livelihood.
Forests are the most biologically-diverse ecosystems on land, home to more than 80% of the terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects. They also provide shelter, jobs and security for forest-dependent communities.
Yet despite all of these priceless ecological, economic, social and health benefits, global deforestation continues at an alarming rate – 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed annually. Deforestation accounts for 12 to 20 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.” [2]
World Water Day
March 22, annually
World Water Day is a brainchild of the United Nations and has been celebrated since 1993. This WWD’s mission is the promote the sustainable management and conservation of fresh water. It also seeks solutions for the hundreds of millions of people worldwide who live without clean water. Learn more about World Water Day.
Earth Day
April 22, annually
First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day is now celebrated worldwide and coordinated by Earth Day Network. Earth Day is a day to learn more about and support environmental protection. I love to celebrate Earth Day by hosting a clothing swap and sharing posts with you all about how to be more sustainable. Learn more about Earth Day.
International Day for Biological Diversity
May 22, annually
Started in 1993 and originally celebrated in December, IDB
From the UN:
“Biodiversity is the foundation for life and for the essential services provided by ecosystems. It therefore underpins peoples’ livelihoods and sustainable development in all areas of activity, including economic sectors such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism, among others. By halting biodiversity loss, we are investing in people, their lives and their well-being.” [3]
Learn more about International Day for Biological Diversity.
Bike-to-Work Day
Third Friday in May, annually
Created in 1956 by the Leauge of American Bicyclists, Bike-to-Work Day serves many purposes. It is both a way to get people to be active while commuting and a way to reduce the emission pollution that motor vehicles create while people commute to work. Learn more about Bike-to-Work Day, Week and Month.
World Environment Day
June 5, annually
Created by the UN and celebrated since 1974, WED encourages people to take action and be the change they want to see in protecting our environment. Learn more about World Environment Day.
World Ocean’s Day
June 8, annually
Celebrating oceans because they generate our oxygen, they feed us, they regulate climate, and more! Learn more about World Ocean’s Day.
World Rainforest Day
June 22, annually
“A collaborative effort to raise awareness and encourage action to save one of Earth’s most precious resources, our rainforests.”
International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
September 16, annually
Also called Ozone Day, this holiday commemorates the day that the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed in 1987. Learn more about it here.
From the UN:
“On this International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, let us remember how much has already been accomplished, and commit to do more to protect our atmosphere. By working together, we can build a safer, healthier, more prosperous and resilient world for all people while protecting our planet, our only home.”
Secretary-General’s Message on the International Day
for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
16 September 2016
World Habitat Day
First Monday in October, annually
This holiday is a way to remind us all that everyone has the right to adequate shelter now and in the future. It is our duty as responsible citizens to help others now and ensure a world that can house the humans of the future. Learn more about World Habitat Day.
International Mountain Day
December 11, annually
From the UN:
“Mountains provide freshwater, energy and food – resources that will be increasingly scarce in coming decades. However, mountains also have a high incidence of poverty and are extremely vulnerable to climate change, deforestation, land degradation and natural disasters. In fact, 1 out of 3 mountain people in developing countries is vulnerable to food insecurity and faces poverty and isolation.
The challenge is to identify new and sustainable opportunities that can bring benefits to both highland and lowland communities and help to eradicate poverty without contributing to the degradation of fragile mountain ecosystems.”
Learn more about International Mountain Day.
My sustainable holiday challenge to you:
- Choose 2 holidays – one that you already celebrate (i.e. Christmas or Valentine’s Day) and one from this list that is new to you (i.e. Earth Day or Bike-to-Work Day).
- For the traditional holiday that you already celebrate, find ways to celebrate it more sustainably. You can purchase sustainable gifts, reduce the amount of wrapping paper that use, or make your own gifts.
- For the sustainable holiday, choose a way to celebrate it that will teach our loved ones about it and contribute to making the world a better place. For example, on Bike-to-Work day, you could teach your children about how cars create a lot of pollution and how choosing to ride a bike can help reduce that pollution. You could then bike with your children to school before biking to work, yourself. Another example would be to plant a family tree or start a sustainable family indoor plant garden together on World Forests Day. An easy holiday to celebrate is Earth Day, due to its popularity. You can do a google search and find out what people in your community are doing to celebrate it and join in with them.
Make all ye holidays green & sustainable, merry people. That’s the best way to have peace on Earth ♥
xoxo dolls & dudes,
Addie
Great post! Thanks for sharing this list : )