Categories
Uncategorized

What Is Earth Day?

Today is April 22nd, also known as Earth Day! Now is your chance to help do your bit and celebrate our beautiful planet.

What Is Earth Day?

Earth Day is a specific Day which is designed to help us express our appreciation of the Earth, and raise our awareness of the issues and problems which threaten to harm it. It is marked by over a billion people all across the world, and is an amazing chance to think about the ways in which we can all do our bit for the planet.How Did It Start?

2020 is actually the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, so it is an extra special occasion! The idea started in 1970, when an American senator named Gaylord Nelson became concerned about the state of the environment in the USA. In 1969, a massive oil spill in California devastated local wildlife and ecosystems, and Senator Nelson was determined to make a change.

He organised a ‘teach-in’ on university campuses across the country, and picked April 22nd as it was a weekday, so plenty of students would be in school. He and Denis Hayes, an environmental activist, worked to organise and promote events raising awareness of the importance of caring for our planet, and the threats to the environment. The idea caught fire, and Earth Day was born.

What Are The Impacts?

As well as becoming a major national event each year, the Earth Day of 1970 is also credited with helping to pass key legislation such as the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act – all very important for helping to keep our planet safe.

How Can I Participate?

There are plenty of ways you can take part in Earth Day, but the most important is to be aware. Make sure that you know different ways to care for and protect our planet, such as:

  • Reduce your consumption of single-use plastics – take your own bag to the supermarket
  • Minimise your carbon footprint; try to walk instead of drive where possible
  • Shop locally to support local businesses and reduce the pollution which comes with food production
  • Respect the rules of the countryside – only walk on designated footpaths, close gates, and never disturb nesting birds
  • Try going plant-based for one meal a week
  • Raise awareness with your friends to help others protect the Earth
  • Try growing your own fruits and vegetables – you can even use scraps from a meal you have already enjoyed!

We all have a responsibility to protect our planet, so let’s make the most of Earth Day!

Categories
Uncategorized

Real Life Magic: Growing Veggies From Scraps

Growing your own food is a major part of living a healthy, sustainable lifestyle – and allows you to enjoy delicious fruits and veggies from your very own home! Sound tempting? Then we have good news: you can start growing your very own vegetables today, using items you already have around the home.

Many people associate gardening with lots of equipment, some of it expensive, as well as needing plenty of space to plant and grow the crops. It is possible, however, to start enjoying tasty, healthy fruit and veg today – and you already have the tools to do it.

Grow Your Own!

Growing your own vegetables from scraps is a great way to really reduce your food waste, and make every morsel count. This helps us use the Earth’s resources more effectively, reducing the waste we produce which can damage the planet.

Using what we have is also more cost-effective, and helps to reduce the plastic and packaging which often comes with supermarket-purchased items.

What You Need

  • Food waste or scraps
  • A small pot or container, such as a yoghurt pot, butter tub or ice cream container

It really is that simple! There are a range of items you can grow, and these include:

  • Carrots

Next time you chop carrots, save the very tops to generate new veg. Just place the scraps in a bowl top down, fill with an inch or so of water, and place somewhere sunny. Change the water everyday, and you will soon see tiny sprouts start to appear. At this point, you can transfer the plant to soil – again, simply use a container you already have in your home.

  • Peppers

Next time you enjoy a crunchy pepper, save the seeds. Pop them in a little soil, and make sure you water them regularly. Voila! A brand new pepper plant in no time!

  • Onion

Onions are truly magical – just chop one in half and bury it in some soil. In no time at all, it will regenerate to give you a brand new onion!

  • Potato

To maintain a steady supply of potatoes, why not grow your own? Save one from dinner, and cut it in half. Keep the two pieces at room temperature for around three days, and plant them in soil once they are dry to the touch. Before long, you can enjoy a brand new, homegrown potato crop.

These are just a few of the plants you can grow from the food already in your home – why not experiment with other seeds and see what you can create from your scraps?