Here are 10 fun ways to celebrate Earth Day and show our appreciation for the planet we call home.

Earth Day celebrations often include practical and enjoyable activities that honor the planet. The origins of the day go back several decades.

In 1969, the Cuyahoga River in Ohio caught fire, becoming one of the most polluted rivers in the country. The industrial revolution had severely impacted the city, causing oil and debris to accumulate in the river, leading to multiple ignitions. Locals described the river as thick and smelling strongly of oil and sewage.

But this time, the flaming river gained national attention, sparking an environmental movement that eventually inspired the Clean Water Act and prompted a small grassroots campaign to save the environment into a mainstream movement. That grassroots campaign, known as April 22, 1970, is now Earth Day.

If you're one of those millions planning to lend a hand in honor of Mother Earth, you may be wondering what exactly you can do. We've got 10 great ways to roll up your sleeves and get to work, whether you have five minutes, five hours or want to form habits that will last a lifetime.

How Earth Day Works

We have celebrated Earth Day since 1970, and now more than 50 years later, its purpose remains the same: to encourage social and political action by drawing attention to the cause.

Every year, around the world, the damaged state of the environment comes to the forefront, and millions of people take the opportunity to pitch in — if only for a day.

Participating in Earth Day can help raise awareness about environmental issues and motivate future generations to continue honoring and protecting our planet.

Ways for Teachers to Commemorate Earth Day

Observing Earth Day at school can inspire students to explore environmental topics. You could substitute your usual lesson plans with activities like creating Earth Day crafts using upcycled materials, adding a recycling station in the classroom, or even conducting an engaging science experiment, such as exploring the potential of wind energy.

10. Opt for Telecommuting

Since cars contribute significantly to pollution in our daily lives, it's logical to address this issue. Even a short drive to work can be a major source of pollution. For instance, a 10-mile (16 kilometers) round-trip commute means you burn about 1 gallon (3.7 liters) of gas, at the very least.

That single gallon of gasoline releases 20 pounds (9 kilograms) of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This is because a gallon of gasoline weighs approximately 6.3 pounds (2.3 kilograms), and it produces 20 pounds of carbon dioxide when burned. By skipping that gallon of gas, you're preventing 20 pounds of greenhouse gases from being released into the air.

So, how can you travel? You might consider carpooling, taking public transportation, working from home for the day, or even riding a bike if that's an option. Not only will this help the planet, but you'll also be improving your health.

9. Skip the Bath

When considering global water shortages, the volume of water we consume just to stay clean might be quite surprising.

On average, Americans spend eight minutes in the shower, with the typical showerhead using 2.5 gallons (9.4 liters) of water per minute. This adds up to around 20 gallons (75 liters) of water per shower. To fill a hot tub, it takes much more water than that.

So this Earth Day, why not skip the long, hot shower and settle for a slightly less pristine cleanliness? Or at the very least, consider skipping washing your hair on Earth Day. You may notice your hair feeling healthier. But please, don't forget to wash your hands!

8. Measure Your Carbon Footprint

We all create a carbon footprint. Whether you drive, fly, shop online, or use air conditioning, your activities contribute to your carbon footprint. The positive side is that you can calculate your footprint, as well as that of your family members. Why is this important? It helps you understand how much you and your lifestyle contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

This is also a great chance to teach children how to reduce their carbon emissions — like biking to the store or taking a nature walk instead of driving to the park. Alternatively, you can buy carbon offsets to help mitigate the impact.

7. Purchase Carbon Offsets

With your carbon footprint calculated, it’s time to consider buying carbon offsets. Various companies offer these offsets to individuals and businesses alike.

Here’s how they work: You pay for clean energy, typically from wind or solar, to make up for the dirty energy you use. People buy them to balance out their travel, home energy use, or other energy-consuming activities. Platforms like Terrapass, Tentree, and 8BillionTrees offer carbon offsets, making it easy to reduce your carbon footprint this Earth Day.

6. Contact Your Legislator via Email

While sending an email might seem like a small action, it aligns perfectly with Earth Day’s call to engage. Reaching out to your local representatives or senators, who have the power to push for significant environmental legislation, can lead to meaningful change.

To contact your representatives, visit your state or local government website. There you’ll find contact details, including email and mailing addresses. You can even make a phone call if that suits you better. Choose an issue that matters to you — such as water conservation, forest protection, air quality, or recycling — and share your thoughts with your congressperson.

If you're aware of any upcoming legislation that you feel passionate about, reach out to your representatives and express how you want them to vote. You might be surprised at how your input could make a difference. And of course, your influence multiplies if you get others to join in — an Earth Day letter-writing event, anyone?

Involve your kids in the process as well. This can be a fantastic civics lesson. For instance, they could create and send an Earth Day-themed artwork that shows why a particular cause matters to them. It's an excellent way to motivate children to continue advocating for what they believe in.

5. Volunteer

To get involved in Earth Day, there's nothing better than joining others who share the same passion for the planet. If you have the time, there are plenty of opportunities where you can lend a hand.

You can search online for Earth Day events in your local area. Whether it's helping with park cleanups, assisting in planting a school garden, or even participating in a green charity walk, there are lots of ways to get involved.

If you'd prefer a fun, low-effort celebration, you can always enjoy museum programs, local festivals, park parties, and parades. A hands-on science museum experience can be an excellent way to mark Earth Day with your family.

Organizations like the Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, and even NASA offer a variety of exciting activities for Earth Day.

4. Plant a Tree

In fact, the 2018 report from the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlighted that planting an additional 2.5 billion acres (1 billion hectares) of forests could help limit global warming to 2.7°F (1.5°C) by 2050.

So why not get a head start and plant some trees in your own yard? They might outlive you, and in addition to removing carbon from the air, they also help prevent soil erosion.

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Be sure the tree you plant is not an invasive species and won't require too much water. Water is a precious resource we all must conserve.

Tap here to see how you can make a change: 3. Switch Your Light Bulbs.

Earth Day is the perfect opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient LED bulbs. They outperform compact fluorescents (CFLs) and can last up to 10 times longer than incandescent lights. Their narrow wavelength makes them highly energy-efficient.

Although LEDs come with a higher price tag compared to CFLs and incandescent bulbs, they offer a much longer lifespan of around 25,000 hours, which is significantly longer than the 1,000 hours typical for incandescent bulbs.

2. Start a Compost Bin

When you toss coffee grounds, vegetable scraps, egg cartons, or grass clippings into the trash, you're simply contributing to landfill waste. Instead, you can compost a variety of items, and the resulting compost will work wonders as a nutrient-rich fertilizer for your garden and yard.

After establishing your composting system, which includes a bin in your kitchen for compostable waste and one in your yard for the decaying process, you'll have free access to rich, natural fertilizer.

Setting up a compost bin is a simple task that only takes a few hours. You can build one yourself using wood, chicken wire, or even an old trash bin, or you can purchase one from a garden or home-improvement store. It's a perfect way to honor Earth Day, as it becomes an ongoing effort to reduce waste and enrich your soil for as long as you maintain the habit, which is easy to do.

1. Keep It Going

It's wonderful to take action for the environment on Earth Day. What's even more rewarding is carrying those Earth Day efforts forward throughout the year.

If you celebrate Earth Day by starting a compost bin, be sure to follow through with it. Let it become more than just a temporary project.

If you skip a shower to save water, try making other small changes as well, such as running the washer or dishwasher only when they're fully loaded.

Try working from home at least once or twice a week, or arrange a carpool for the days you commute to the office. And don't just switch to energy-efficient bulbs—remember to turn off the lights when you leave a room.

Make planting a tree on Earth Day an annual ritual. Volunteer regularly for an environmental cause—ideally once a month, if you can.

The Earth will express its gratitude, and Earth Day will have fulfilled its purpose.