World Earth Day: 5 Things People Can Do for the Plant

Environmental issues are always a hot topic, and the environmental problems that threaten human survival are becoming increasingly prominent, such as global warming, biodiversity loss, deforestation, air pollution, water pollution, marine pollution, cross-border transfer of hazardous waste, etc.

Environmental Issues in 2023

According to statistics, 10 tons of plastic are produced every second in the world, and 5 to 14 million tons of plastic waste enter the ocean every year, polluting the deep ocean. Harmful substances produced by the decomposition of plastics kill marine organisms, bringing catastrophic impacts to marine ecosystems.

Last year, Dutch scientists published a paper in the International Environmental Journal stating that microplastics were found in human blood and could potentially enter human organs. This is undoubtedly a wake-up call from the Earth to humanity. Humans do not want to eat plastic, marine creatures do not want to eat it either, and the Earth certainly does not want it. When it eventually enters the human body through the food chain, what right do we have to blame anyone?

Humans and nature coexist harmoniously, and cherishing the Earth is essentially protecting ourselves. April 22, 2023, is the 54th World Earth Day, a day that every Earth citizen should take seriously!

History of Earth Day

World Earth Day first appeared in the United States in 1970 and was initiated by a just-turned 25-year-old law student from Harvard University, Denis Hayes. Hayes had loved nature since he was a child and had always been concerned about environmental issues during his university years. Later, he was hailed as the "father of Earth Day."

At the first Earth Day, rallies were held across the country, and by the end of the year, the U.S. government had established the Environmental Protection Agency. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than 20 million Americans participated in the first Earth Day event.

In 1990, after 20 years of development, this global environmental festival mobilized 200 million people from 141 countries and regions to discuss global environmental issues, greatly promoting the United Nations Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.

In 2010, the official organization of World Earth Day, the Earth Day Network (EDN), was established, bringing together environmentalists from around the world to jointly promote the "Earth Day" activities.

Although Earth Day may have initially been an American effort, it is now recognized by hundreds of countries around the world. According to the Earth Day Network, more than one billion people worldwide participate in Earth Day activities today.

Five methods to commemorate World Day

Earth Day is an important day for global efforts to promote environmental protection and sustainable development, reminding everyone of their responsibility to contribute to the protection of our planet. Although it is only one day, doing small things can have a positive impact on the Earth. Here are some things that ordinary people can do on this special day, as well as how to incorporate these actions into daily life.

Turning off the lights to save electricity

In today's Internet age, most people cannot work or live without electricity. Mobile phones, computers, televisions... all require power. It's hard to imagine life without electricity.

However, according to statistics, 60% of the world's electricity is currently generated by burning coal and other fossil fuels, and it takes 400 grams of coal to generate 1 kilowatt-hour of electricity. This massive consumption of coal not only depletes Earth's resources, but also produces a large amount of carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and dust, severely polluting the environment.

So in today's highly dependent on electricity situation, what are some ways for average people to save electricity?

1. First, when going out, most home appliances should be turned off. The "standby" mode of many appliances such as televisions and computers does not actually save electricity. If these appliances are not needed within a short period of time (within half an hour), they should be turned off completely.
2. Secondly, at home, natural light should be used efficiently by arranging indoor lighting properly. Turn off lights in places where they are not needed, which can protect vision and save energy.
3. Finally, develop a good habit of turning off the lights with your hands, and for electric devices that are not used, unplug the power in time to save electricity and protect natural resources.

Using a HiPEAK folding electric bike to have a green trip

Car exhaust emissions have always been one of the most severe sources of air pollution in the United States. To address climate change and air pollution, a common approach is to use electric bicycles to replace much of the travel functions of gasoline cars.

HiPEAK has been providing people with the most environmentally friendly electric fat tire bicycles in the world. Compared with electric cars, the adult electric bike has a smaller volume, and consumes fewer resources and carbon emissions during the manufacturing process.

Due to their size, e-bikes are not as fast or have the same range as electric cars. However, with its powerful 750W motor, the HiPEAK can still achieve speeds of over 20 miles per hour. On the other hand, They has a large 48V 15ah lithium battery that provides a range of 60 miles, allowing it to go to most places where electric cars can go. Moreover, its maximum load of 350 pounds is enough to replace a car for shopping and errands. Most importantly, during operation, the HiPEAK BONA does not emit any harmful substances.

Reducing plastic use through purchasing environmental bags

It is self-evident that plastic pollution in soil is difficult to degrade and can easily produce harmful gases that pollute the atmosphere when burned.

The usage time of most plastic bags is around 10-20 minutes, but they can ultimately remain in landfills for hundreds of years. Americans use 100 billion plastic bags each year, which requires about 12 million barrels of oil to produce. This is a big problem - especially since plastic bags cannot be recycled. However, if people buy some reusable environmentally friendly bags when they go to the grocery store, they will not only be fashionable but also environmentally friendly!

At the same time, try to use disposable items such as disposable bowls, chopsticks, and cups as little as possible. In daily life, it is also important to develop the habit of sorting garbage for recycling. This can save garbage disposal costs, extend the lifespan of incineration power plants and landfills, and save land resources.

Turning off the water tap and save water

A dripping water tap can waste 1 to 6 liters of water per day, while a leaking toilet can waste 3 to 25 liters of water per day. People must realize that water resources are not infinite and inexhaustible. In fact, there are astonishingly many ways to reduce water usage, such as shortening shower time, installing water-saving shower heads, turning off the water tap while brushing teeth, and checking for toilet leaks.

Saving water is a persistent battle that requires a truly effective plan. Organize a family or community dinner and discuss how you can contribute to water conservation at home.

Planting trees

This simple act will benefit the environment for decades. It only takes a few minutes to plant a tree, but it can have a significant impact.

Trees can not only cool down the temperature (they can help reduce the temperature of a city by as much as 10 degrees), but also purify the air and release more oxygen. In addition, they help save energy, clean up pollution, prevent erosion, and provide a home for many local wildlife such as birds, insects, and other animals.

However, before taking action, it is best to pay attention to the following points:

• Choose a planting site that is most suitable for the growth of trees to increase their survival rate.
• Choose native tree species for residential areas that are suitable for tree growth and avoid biological invasions.
• Earth Day coincides roughly with Arbor Day in the United States. You can check if there are any tree-planting activities in your community and join them.

Conclusion

The purpose of establishing Earth Day is not just to focus on the Earth’s ecological environment on that day, but to continuously sound the alarm to humanity on a ritualistic day. Humans must learn to respect, adapt to, and protect nature, raise environmental awareness and ecological governance capabilities, and jointly build a beautiful global village.