21 Things You Can Do to Make Every Hour Earth Hour

On Saturday, March 23rd, 2024, the world took part in celebrating Earth Hour to show its support for the planet! Earth Hour is a wonderful opportunity to take some time out and think about the environment. But the mission of Earth Hour shouldn’t be a one-day thing. Let’s explore a few fun ways you can treat every day like Earth Hour and help create a more sustainable future!  

Safeguard ecosystems 

Ecosystems are the foundation of life on Earth. Every species on the planet has an important role to play in keeping our planet functioning. From providing food, medicine, and shelter providing resources for ecosystems is so important. When we protect ecosystems, we protect ourselves! Here are some ways you can protect the world’s ecosystems:  

1. Clean Up Trails and Beaches:

Being mindful of trash and picking up litter when you see it can go a long way. This can also ensure animals who cross these trails or beaches don’t mistake trash for food. 

2. Volunteer for Local Clean Up:

Volunteering for local cleanups helps keep our neighborhoods and environment safe and healthy! Volunteering for local cleanups not only helps maintain the cleanliness and health of our communities and natural surroundings but also fosters a sense of collective responsibility and community pride in preserving our environment for future generations.

3. Let Nature be Nature:

Avoid removing rocks or seashells for trails or beaches. Additionally, when observing animals, watch them from afar. Letting nature be nature not only preserves the natural beauty and integrity of our outdoor spaces but also respects the delicate balance of ecosystems and habitats, ensuring that wildlife can thrive undisturbed in their natural environments. 

Conserve power and resources   

By using less energy, we can help reduce our environmental impact. From reducing emissions to decreasing water usage, we can make a real difference. This is also one of the best ways to save money in the long run. In the same way, we should all aim to use natural resources wisely. Here are some ways you can conserve power and resources:   

4. Unplug any Unnecessary Electronics and Appliances:

It might sound small, but unplugging your electronics and appliances helps reduce your energy consumption in the long run. Unplugging unnecessary electronics and appliances not only reduces energy consumption but also lowers your electricity bill and minimizes the environmental impact associated with the production and distribution of electricity.

5. Take Shorter Showers and Turn off the Water While Brushing Your Teeth:

Making these small adjustments in your daily routine can save more water than you might think! According to the Regional Water Providers Consortium, cutting just one minute from your daily shower could save about 75 gallons a month.

6. Turn Off Your Lights and Electronics When Not in Use:

This extra-conscious decision is an easy way to reduce your energy consumption. If you choose to go the extra mile and switch to LED lights, these bulbs use up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs.

Be a smarter shopper  

Being a smarter shopper is essential to creating a more sustainable future. Reducing waste can create a healthier, earth-friendlier environment. Smart shoppers also have a better understanding of the impact their shopping choices have on the environment. Being a smart shopper can help you look for ways to reduce waste or buy products with less packaging. Here are some more tips on how you can be a more earth-friendlier shopper: 

7. Use reusable bags when shopping:

Making this smart choice while perusing your local grocery store helps reduce the amount of plastic waste that is polluting our planet. Using reusable bags when shopping not only reduces plastic waste but also conserves resources and helps protect wildlife.

 8. Buying Energy-Efficient Appliances:

Making this eco-friendly switch helps reduce the amount of energy and resources. Not only does it reduce your monthly utility bills, but it also helps preserve the environment for future generations. 

 9. Support Local Earth-Friendly Businesses:

This is a great way to support local efforts and explore new products. Plus, local businesses often grow their food and produce which unlike most grocery chains, don’t spray their crops with environmentally harmful pesticides. 

Supercharge your home garden 

It might sound small but believe it or not, making your home garden into something that can benefit the planet can make a world of difference. Not to mention the immense joy of being able to watch your garden grow right in your own backyard! Here are some tips on how you can create an awesome garden:

10. Plant Flowers and Vegetables:

Planting flowers and vegetables helps us to connect with nature. Planting is also a great way to try new things! Check out our article on 8 benefits of a vertical garden.

11. Utilize Renewable Energy:

There are tons of ways renewable energy can super charge your garden. From solar-powered gardening tools to beautiful greenhouses, the possibilities are endless! Want to learn more about how renewable energy can benefit your garden? Check out our blog post on how you can grow your own produce with renewable energy!

12. Try Composting:

Composting not only reduces waste and saves landfill space, but it also helps the environment by returning valuable nutrients to the soil! Composting also promotes plant growth and provides a healthier environment for everyone.

Make earth-friendly efforts in your home  

Making your home eco-friendly is great for you and your family! Not only are eco-friendlier homes healthier, but they can save you money on utility costs over time. Here’s how you can upgrade your space:  

13. Adjust your Thermostat to Save Energy:

This effort can help reduce your energy bills and help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. Plus, it’s a great way to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter! 

14. Conserve Water:

Install low-flow faucets, showerheads, and toilets to reduce water consumption. If you want to conserve more water, consider shortening your shower time. Cutting your shower time down by just one minute you could save about 75 gallons a month.

15. Choose Earth-Friendly Energy:

Using renewable sources of energy, such as wind and solar power reduces the amount of pollution in the air. This means cleaner air, water, and land for everyone! Interested in learning more about energy solutions for your home? Visit us to view our Earth-Friendly energy plans!

Share the message  

Spreading the message of Earth Hour is incredibly important. This helps raise awareness about climate change. By participating in Earth Hour, we can show that we care about the environment and are willing to make changes to reduce our impact. Here’s how else you can spread the powerful mission of Earth Hour: 

16. Spread Awareness on Social Media:

This effort encourages everyone to come together and take action for our planet! 

17. Have a Conversation with Friends and Family:

Spreading the message with family and friends can create a ripple effect in our local communities that can lead to a global impact! 

18. Make the Message of Earth Hour a Topic of Discussion in Your Workplace:

Doing this creates an opportunity for conversation and to come together as a team and make a positive impact on our planet. 

Implement sustainable habits into your daily routine 

Creating a sustainable lifestyle goes beyond Earth Hour; it involves incorporating eco-friendly practices into your daily routine. By making small changes, you can contribute to a healthier planet and inspire others to do the same.

19. Embrace Minimalism:

Declutter your home and prioritize experiences over material possessions. Buying less and consuming mindfully reduces resource consumption and waste generation.

20. Reduce Package Waste:

According to the EPA, Containers and packaging make up a major portion of municipal solid waste (MSW), amounting to 82.2 million tons of generation in 2018. Setting a goal to reduce plastic waste can not only reduce the amount of waste in your home, but it can reduce the overall waste of the planet.

21. Choose Eco-Friendly for Products You Use Often:

Select items that are manufactured using sustainable materials, have minimal environmental impact throughout their lifecycle, and are produced by companies committed to environmental responsibility. If you’re looking for a list of everyday care items you can use that are still eco-friendly, visit here! 

After Earth Hour, it’s time to celebrate! We can be proud of ourselves for taking a small step forward in our fight against climate change. These are just a few ways you can continue the message and earth-friendly efforts of Earth Hour all year round! But this isn’t the end – let’s keep the momentum going and create more positive changes on our planet.   

Santanna Energy Services is a supplier of renewable energy solutions in the United States, providing services to Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio. We provide a wide range of energy services and products to meet the needs of both residential and small business customers. Our mission is to provide innovative and cost-effective energy solutions that will help our customers achieve their energy goals. With over 35 years of experience, we are committed to creating life-long relationships by providing quality service to customers, communities, and employees.