Plan Ahead for Earth Day
Every year, on April 22nd, individuals, groups, schools, companies, and communities have an opportunity to reflect and be proactive about improving our planet. First held on April 22,1970, Earth Day has expanded its reach and now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EarthDay.org (formerly Earth Day Network) including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries.
At AquaGrove, we consider every day to be Earth Day; sustainability is at the forefront of everything we do. From reducing water waste by up to 90% through aquaponics (vs. conventional farming) to adding solar power to our systems, our technology takes the health of our planet into account and makes it a priority.
This year’s Earth Day theme is “Planet vs. Plastic”, emphasizing the importance of education and action against plastic pollution; focus includes building awareness on the health risk of plastics, rapidly phasing out all single use plastics, pushing for a strong UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution, and demanding an end to fast fashion. Interested in learning more or participating in this year’s event? Here are a few ways you can plan ahead and be part of the Earth Day festivities:
Create an Earth Day Event – Whether you invite the community to an online climate discussion or aquaponics lesson or host a teach-in, there are many creative ways to design your own Earth Day Event. Looking for inspiration? Check out the Earth Day planning resources for some ideas, and don’t forget to register your event here.
Participate in an Earth Day Event – Earth Day resources make it easy to find and join a related event near you. From cleanups to rallies, their Event Map allows you to filter events by location and type of event to identify the project that works best for you.
Say “No” to Plastic – Choosing to reduce or eliminate single-use plastic is a small choice that can have a major impact. As published on the Earth Day website, “Plastic production now has grown to more than 380 million tons per year. More plastic has been produced in the last ten years than in the entire 20th century, and the industry plans to grow explosively for the indefinite future.” The truth is that more than 500 billion plastic bags (one million bags per minute) were produced worldwide last year; this is in addition to 100 billion plastic beverage containers were sold last year in the United States - that’s more than 300 bottles per inhabitant! You can help be part of the solution by using reusable water bottles and seeking alternatives for any single-use plastic products including straws, utensils, bags, and packaging.
Power Up with Solar – AquaGrove was founded and created from a solar thermal (PVT) technology company and product (Power Panel) and has offered solar power options for aquaponic systems for years. There is simply no denying the incredible and positive impact that solar power has and will continue to have on the health of our planet. By going solar, you can reduce the demand for fossil fuels, limit greenhouse gas emissions, and shrink your own carbon footprint, not to mention the savings you will see on your power bill.
Get Inspired – The Earth Day website has a plethora of resources available, but one that is particularly helpful is their page of downloadable toolkits. Whether you are a school, business, or individual, there is a kit for everyone. You can peruse and download their selection of kits here.
Plant a Sustainable Garden – Growing your own food is not only beneficial for the environment; it can also provide solid financial and health benefits. With aquaponic systems like AquaGrove, you can take your gardening a step further by farming fish and healthy greens simultaneously year-round and in nearly any climate. It’s never too late or too early to start a sustainable garden.
Earth Day provides an opportunity for all of us to embrace actions and investments that we can take to increase awareness of environmental issues and climate change, as well as revise our diets and habits to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle. To learn more about Earth Day and gain access to resources and educational toolkits, visit the official Earth Day 2024 website. To view quick and easy ways you can adopt a more sustainable and earth-friendly lifestyle, check out our list of actions anyone can take to decrease their carbon footprint.