5 Earth Day Activities That Benefit the Planet
It's always Earth Day here in Riff world, but today especially is a day to show this big beautiful home of ours some serious love.
Earth Day 2022 is all about investing in our planet and recognizing our collective responsibility to fight for a greener future. And last month's UN climate report made one thing crystal clear: To truly help limit the impacts of climate change, we must act now.
That's why it's ever-so-important to incorporate planet-friendly practices into our lives not just on April 22, but all 365 days of the year!
Not sure where to start? We've got you. Here are 5 activities to try this Earth Day – and then continue throughout the year!
Start a Compost Bin
If you have a backyard or outdoor space, building a compost bin is a great Earth Day activity to help tackle waste and lower your food-print.
The average U.S. household wastes over 30% of its food, but when food scraps are composted, it helps keep food out of landfills and creates nutrient-rich soil for your plants. A win-win!
Check out Riff's IG post for some handy tips on how to start composting at home.
Create a Biodiverse Backyard
Manicured lawns may look pretty, but they’re unnatural habitats for wildlife. This Earth Day, try rewilding your garden space into a biodiverse, pollinator-friendly space for wildlife to thrive!
You can do this by planting native plants, allowing a small area of your yard to grow ‘wild’, and ditching the chemical fertilizers and pesticides for organic methods.
No garden? No problem! There are plenty of other ways to help preserve biodiversity in your local neighborhood, with or without a garden at home. You could build and donate DIY bird nest boxes, install a windowsill bird feeder, or get involved with habitat restoration groups in your area!
Invest In Our Planet
In line with the theme of Earth Day 2022, investing in our planet is the #1 way to make a difference – and we're not just talking about money. Investing in the planet can look like so many different things.
Whether it’s making sustainable swaps in your everyday life, educating yourself on climate issues, or supporting businesses (like Riff and other UFA members) working hard towards climate solutions.
Here at Riff we’re working to fix the coffee industry’s dirty, not-so-little secret. We upcycle cascara (the sweet, naturally caffeinated fruity pulp around the coffee bean) into a tasty clean-label energy drink– Riff Energy+, the nation's very first certified carbon neutral energy drink! This helps save the planet from needless food waste, while offering coffee farmers new revenue streams AND bringing healthy energy drinks to the market – now that’s a win-win-win.
We recently launched our first crowdfunding campaign on Wefunder, giving you the opportunity to own a piece of Riff and truly ‘Invest in Our Planet’ for as little as $100. We believe this is only the beginning of the clean energy drink revolution led by Riff Energy+, and we’d love to welcome you into the tribe!
Attend a Cleanup Event
It’s time to get down and dirty! Whether you go solo or join a bigger group event, beach cleanups, neighborhood cleanups, and park cleanups are all great ways to help reduce pollution and pave the way towards a healthier, cleaner environment.
Best of all, they aren't just limited to Earth Day! You can find cleanups happening in every corner of the planet almost ANY day of the year. And if there are no events in your area, all you need are a pair of gloves, a bag, and your own two feet to set out on your own solo cleanup mission!
Need help finding a cleanup event near you? Earthday.org is an amazing resource to find organized cleanups across the globe.
Learn a New Planet-Friendly Skill
Picking up a new skill that helps reduce your impact on the planet is ALWAYS a good idea! Did you know that you can keep avocados fresh for 2-4 weeks just by submerging them in a jar of water? Neat, huh?
By taking the time to learn new skills like proper food storage, recycling tips, food waste hacks, or how to start a veggie garden, you can drastically help lower your footprint and in turn, have a positive impact on the planet.