10 Days 'Til the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day: How to Stay Green During a Pandemic

Just a few weeks ago, people were normally going about their day at work and at home with friends and family. Now, the world is taking extreme safety precautions and social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Earth's pollution problem has improved immensely, and it's important that we continue to complete our environmental duties for the planet. Here are some ways you can continue to go green at home, while following the pandemic protocols. 

Try Plant-Based Foods

Now is the best time to get creative with your meals! Before you make a safe trip to the grocery store, try some plant-based recipes and learn to cook something new! Going plant-based helps the environment because of the limited greenhouse gas emissions and pollution that comes from the meat industry. It's also worth mentioning that plant-based and vegetarian meals are great for human health! According to Harvard Health Publishing, vegetarian diets help lower the risk of developing coronary heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. So, try a plant-based meal, and see how you feel!

Make a DIY Disinfectant

We all know this virus is extremely contagious and spreads easily. You might have run out of disinfectant, and so have the grocery stores. Don't worry because you can actually make your own! Skip the harsh chemicals and continuous purchasing of plastic bottles with a DIY disinfectant. Use a mixture of 70% alcohol and hydrogen peroxide to sterilize surfaces. You can also mix white vinegar and vodka for cleaning grease, stains, and any odors. Lemon juice can be used to clean non-porous surfaces, although this does not disinfect them. 

Don't Stream. Read!

Believe it or not, streaming music and watching movies and shows online increases greenhouse gas emissions. Even though these are not physical formats of entertainment, their use still enlarges your carbon footprint. This is because of the high amounts of electricity and servers that are running during the streaming. Try to spend more time reading! 

Volunteer for Earth Day From Home 

Earth Day's 50th Anniversary is coming in just ten days, and you can contribute to a global science project straight from your phone! This is this first time Earth Day is going digital in order to help keep the public safe from the COVID-19 pandemic. You can take environmental action online with your community by simply downloading the Earth Challenge 2020 app available here in the Apple app store and Google Play store. Read more here about how you can become a citizen scientist from home!