10 Actions For a VIRTUAL Earth Month

virtual earth month 2020

As we practice social distancing and find ways to reach out and check in with our neighbors, we are being called to consider how our actions affect the most vulnerable among us; is that not the very same collective action the climate crisis demands?

To that end, recent reports have examined how social distancing due to the spread of the coronavirus may have unexpected consequences for climate change. Many of the actions people are taking during this time from reducing air travel to consuming less could significantly reduce one’s carbon footprint.

Though in-person gatherings in honor of Earth Day at 50 have been cancelled or postponed, there are still ways to mark this occasion even in self-isolation. Here are 10 things you can start doing during this unique moment to stay healthy and safe while honoring the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, and committing to a more sustainable life now and into the future.

1. PARTICIPATE IN A VIRTUAL EARTH MONTH EVENT OR ACTIVITY

    • Climate Change Policy Debate hosted by NYU Wagner’s Alliance for Climate Change and the Environment will take place virtually on Friday, April 3 from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Tune into a debate comparing strategies for climate change management. 
    • GPH Earth Day Symposium: A Panel Discussion on Climate Action and Resilience will take place online on Wednesday, April 22 from 11:00am-2:00pm. Learn more about this lively virtual panel discussion on climate action and resilience in honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. 
    • Earth Day at 50: A Case Study in Environmental Reporting hosted by NYU Washington, D.C. and The Associated Press will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, April 22 from 6:30-8pm. Featured journalists will discuss environmental reporting now and in the future. 
    • NYU Climate Change Idea Jam hosted by the NYU Entrepreneurial Institute and the Urban Future Lab will take place via Zoom on Monday, April 27 from 4:00pm-8:00pm. Workshop your sustainability ideas (and then apply for a Green Grant through the Office of Sustainability).
    • New York WILD has partnered with NYU New York and Shanghai on a collaborative film festival exploring the future of our planet. While the in-person festival has been postponed, the call for submissions will remain open until April 7, 2020.
    • Take the NYUGreen Sustainability quiz to assess your knowledge of sustainability topics and share your behaviors. 

2. MAKE A COMMITMENT

3. CONSIDER YOUR FOOD

  Eat more plant-based foods. If you are dining out less and preparing more meals at home, now would be a great time to try out vegetarian and vegan recipes. 

    • Dine in. While so many are turning to home cooking as an alternative to shared restaurant spaces, this is also an opportunity to reduce waste associated with eating out and ordering in. 
    • Stretch your groceries. Many vegetables like green onions, celery, lettuce, and fresh herbs can be easily resprouted from scrap.
    • Order bulk. Ordering online, especially same day delivery options, can have a huge impact on the environment. Consolidate your orders and buy foods in larger quantities to reduce shipments.

4. GET AROUND GREENER 

  If you are able, ride a bike to get around. If you are avoiding communal transportation services, riding a bike may be an ideal way to get around. Unlimited Biking has partnered with NYU to provide 50% discounts on bike rentals at all 8 Unlimited Biking rental locations in NYC. To access, use the code “NYU50” in the promo code section. Right now, they have created the Ride It Out program to give New Yorkers a high-quality rental bike for the same cost as a MetroCard (7 day pass or monthly pass).

    • Telework. Many who are able to do so have shifted to working from home to combat the spread of COVID-19. Fewer commuters has the added benefit of reducing greenhouse emissions from transportation.
    • Limit flying. Flight emissions are an immense contribution to one’s carbon footprint. A single flight could emit as much carbon as many people do in a year. It can be challenging to avoid flying as part of your regular day-to-day life, but during this unusual time, choosing not to fly is not only an important step towards limiting the spread of coronavirus, but it has the added benefit of cutting carbon emissions. 

5. KICK THE SINGLE-USE HABIT

  Drink tap water. Experts are not advising the purchase of bottled water since potable tap water is not likely to be impacted by the virus. With that in mind, there is no need to purchase any kind of pre-packaged, disposable water now, or ever.

    • Bring your own bag for necessary trips to the market. If you are making a trip to the grocery store, make sure you bring your own reusable bag. In New York City, single-use plastic bags are banned as of March 1, 2020.

6. ADVOCATE

  Join a virtual action.  Look at ways to exercise your activism during this time. Earth Day Network has launched a digital mobilization on April 22! Join millions of people around the world by following and using the hashtags #EarthDay2020 and #EARTHRISE on social media.

    • Vote. Voting is an important civic duty and a way to ensure your elected officials represent your interests when it comes to environmental protection. Make sure to register and vote in local and national elections.
    • Write to a legislator. View the environmental record of your elected officials and take the time to draft a letter to encourage folks to take action to protect the environment and populations most vulnerable to environmental detriment. 

7. SELF-EDUCATE

8. REDUCE ENERGY 

  Go digital. Not having a printer or need to prepare printed materials makes the decision-making much easier — share materials digitally now and when you return to the office. You can also find digital versions of books and textbooks, to reduce the need for printed copies.

    • Soft-phones. Transitioning to a software based phone that you can use through your computer is a significant way to reduce energy. Start this now, and take it back to work when you return to the office. There is no need to unnecessarily power another electronic device.
    • Beware of vampire electronics. When you keep electronics plugged in, they continue to extract energy even when they’re not in use. Unplug your electronics.
    • Use the sun. Set up your home work station close to a window so you can take advantage of the natural daylight.

9. CONSUME DIFFERENTLY

    • Downsize. You can reduce your carbon footprint by reducing your overall purchasing. Take time to look at your monthly receipts and consider what you can cut out.
    • Buy used, instead of new clothes. In recent years, there have been more online consignment and thrift stores that make it easy to purchase new-to-you clothing from the comfort of your couch. 
    • Collect clothing for donation. Go through your closet and select any clothing items that can be dropped at a donation bin (when it’s safe to do so).

10. CONSERVE WATER

    • Collect from the shower. Use a bucket to collect the cold water you run before taking a hot shower and use it to water plants or flush the toilet.
    • Wait. Many sewage systems (such as those in New York City) get overwhelmed during heavy rainstorms. Waiting for the rain to stop before doing laundry, washing the dishes, taking a shower, and flushing the toilet can help prevent combined sewage overflows.
    • Discuss a change in practice. If you live with roommates or family, review house rules and ways to save water while everyone is home. Agreeing to shorten showers collectively can free up traffic in a shared bathroom and fully loading the dishwasher before running it will save both energy and water.

This is an unprecedented time when we are being asked to quickly shift our behaviors and think differently about how we live our lives. What can you do to make a lasting change that supports the health and wellbeing of people and the planet?