12 things for the whole family to do for Earth Day at home

Even though most of us are now in some sort of lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, it doesn’t mean we can’t reach out and do something to celebrate and support the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

Ironically, the forced closure of cities, businesses and factories around the world due to COVID-19 has actually helped our environment.

In Venice, the water is clearer and more fishes have been seen due to a reduction in tourist numbers and water traffic; in China, there has been a 50% reduction of nitrous oxide and carbon monoxide in the air after factories were closed down; and in India - home to 21 of the world’s most polluted cities - air pollution levels have been reduced to levels that are ‘satisfactory’.

Across Europe there have also been substantial reductions in air pollution, particularly in the amount of nitrogen dioxide in Italy.

So, there are a few positives to take away from the current pandemic, but there are also things we can continue to do from home to help people remember that we not only have to look after our personal health, but also the health of the planet.

Earth Day activities to do from home

1. Find an activity

The Earth Day organisation has a huge range of activities available online for you to choose from. There are things to do for all ages, as well as locally targeted events too. Go to https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2020/#map to discover an Earth Day activity that suits you and your family.

2. Educate your children

There are a number of environmentally focused online learning options you can use to help teach your kids about the importance of Earth Day. Think Earth has curriculum units for younger children from kindergarten to Grade 3. The content covers things like how to conserve natural resources, how to reduce waste and how to minimise pollution. Go to thinkearth.org/curriculum for more information.

3. Join Earthrise

Earthrise is a global digital mobilisation event organised by the Earth Day organisation, that kicks off on April 22. There will be online conversations, calls to action, performances and video-based learning activities. The organisers also want people to speak out on their own platforms about their own events or actions using #EarthDay2020 and #EARTHRISE to help share global information.

4. The Earth Day Daily Challenge

Although this has already started, you can join in with the Earth Day Network’s 22 daily challenges. Follow @earthdaynetwork's social media channels for each day's challenge.

5. Go Plogging

Since we are still allowed to get outside for some exercise, try Plogging rather than jogging. Just take a rubbish bag with you on your run - and a pair of gloves - and pick up any rubbish you see as you jog along. Welcome to Plogging.

6. Snap and post nature pics

Pick up on some of the social media challenges going around, or create your own. Snap and share pics of plants, add info on where to find them, join and follow local parks’ social media accounts to support them.

7. Together we can

Earth Day Initiative and March for Science are moving their annual Earth Day event online with a virtual stage of high-profile speakers, including public officials, activists, performers, and scientists to give online workshops and presentations, virtual booths for various environmental campaigns and sustainable causes. Just go to http://www.earthdayinitiative.org/earth-day-50-events to sign up for the full event listing.

8. Earth Day Future 50: A Celebration

The Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment is holding a virtual event to celebrate Earth Day focusing on ‘reflections on how far we have come since the first Earth Day in 1970 and what the next 50 years may hold for the future of the Earth’. There will be a number of online talks and discussions with top experts. Go to woods.stanford.edu/earth-day-future-50-celebration-virtual-event to join in.

9. Earth Day Week

We Don’t Have Time is an organisation dedicated to getting people moving more quickly on issues of climate damage and sustainability. The group is holding Earth Day Week as part of its 2020 We Don’t Have Time Climate Conference. They will be ‘broadcasting live talks and other daily shows from Washington DC, and Stockholm and with speakers, thinkers and doers from all over the world’. Go to https://www.wedonthavetime.org/event/earthdayweek to sign up.

10. Run for the Earth

Run Society is holding a global Earth Day Online Race. Starting on April 22, and going until May 17, you can register your preferred distance and track your time via the site and app. Benefits will be going to Mercy Relief. Join up at www.runsociety.com/event/earth-day-online-race-2020/.

11. Plant plants

Lots of us are into indoor plants right now, so why not do something as simple as planting a few more plants. You can get seeds and pots online to create a small herb garden, or order some larger indoor plants for your home online. Just remember to keep up your social distancing when your new plant babies are delivered.

12. Hands on activities for kids

The home schooling website for kids, Buggy and Buddy, has a bunch of cool things to do with your kids at home to celebrate Earth Day. There are things like making ‘moss globes’, learning about carbon footprints from kitchen staples, art ideas and heaps more activities.