Stop and Unplug for Earth Day

By Devery Volpe, executive director of the Teaneck Creek Conservancy

Earth Day, the day when people actually take the time to stop and admire what a beautiful world we live in. Today it is estimated that 1 billion people in 180 countries will celebrate Earth Day, but a select few continue to consciously pay attention to their environment and the steps they are making to better the world. That’s why Earth Day is important. It’s a once-a-year reminder that we need to start making proper choices now, in order for it to become “natural” for generations to follow. But to me, Earth Day is a celebration that gets swept under the rug. People know it’s Earth Day, they make a little attempt at recycling or planting a tree, but then they don’t bother making an effort once the day is done.

Yes, we’ve all heard of the typical reduce, reuse, recycle, but there are even simpler ways to go green. Many, I’m sure, don’t realize the tiny things that can be done to protect our environment before you even leave the house! It’s all a matter of consciously being aware, until it becomes a habit.

Here are some ideas to consider practicing Earth Day and green efforts everyday:

• Unplug appliances when you’re not using them. Start with something small such as your phone charger, then consider your computer, microwave or your kid’s gaming system.
• Shorter showers to reduce water use. I find this to be the hardest challenge. I’ve begun thinking about it this way though, shorter showers equals extra minutes to sleep in the morning.
• Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling costs. If you find yourself chilly, throw on a sweatshirt. You could even buy a new sweatshirt with your savings!

So I encourage you to take another stab at your resolutions this year (I’m sure you’ve fallen off the wagon with your 2013 commitments). A good place to start is by attending the Teaneck Creek Conservancy Earth Day Celebration sponsored by Holy Name Medical Center on April 21, 2013. Or try these simple green tasks, such as properly unplugging appliances, taking shorter showers or better controlling your thermostat can make a big difference. There is more than one bonus to this, keep our planet beautiful and you will even find yourself saving money. Think of it this way, our Earth thanks you with the green for being green!