Earth Day is a global reminder of the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability. It’s also an excellent opportunity to share your commitment to the planet with your significant other. In this article, we’ll explore six meaningful ways you can celebrate Earth Day as a couple, making a positive impact on the environment while strengthening your bond. Whether you’re an eco-conscious duo or just looking for unique and environmentally friendly date ideas, these suggestions will help you honor Earth Day together in a memorable and impactful way.
Earth Day is more romantic than you think!
Sadly, Earth Day isn’t always at the top of the list of super important holidays in our culture. Most people don’t necessarily want to deal with pressing environmental issues such as inefficient land use, fossil fuel extraction (which can cause groundwater pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and spills), climate change, or chemical pollution.
But you and your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife can help improve the effects of all this awful stuff while having fun on April 22.
Here are some activities you can do together to help make the world – and your relationship – just a little bit better.
1. Clean Up The Streets
What’s the messiest, most littered road in your city? Throw on some crummy clothes and a pair of old garden gloves before heading there with your significant other and some trash bags to clean the entire street. It’ll be gross and grimy, but the two of you will feel so accomplished and united afterwards. Plus, you can celebrate with pizza and wine at the end of the day!
2. Adopt An Animal
Homeless animals outnumber homeless people by a whopping 5 to 1, and about 2.7 million cats and dogs are euthanized every year because shelters are too full. Fortunately, The Earth Day Network has partnered up with PETA, so you and your partner can honor April 22 by adopting an animal from your local shelter together. If you don’t have the time or resources for a pet right now, make a pact to visit a shelter every month to clean up and give the animals some attention.
Even making a difference in the life of one dog or cat matters, and will enrich your relationship, too.
3. Take A Break From Driving
Aside from the absolutely essential journeys (e.g. if you must drive to work), make a mutual promise with your partner not to use a vehicle for the rest of the week. Cars are a major source of pollution, emitting large amounts of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and other pollutants into the air. So ride your bike around town or go for a walk instead. Try to use your legs whenever you can in favor of a car – not only will you be saving the planet, but you and the person you love will be getting in shape together!
4. Recycle
Take a day trip to your local recycling center with your partner and all of the recyclable items you can gather up. Hit up your local Kmart with your guy or gal and grab a few large plastic tubs. Label each of them according to what will go in each: “Paper/Cardboard”, “Plastic”, “Cans/Cartons” and “Glass”. Make sure you are up to date on everything that can be recycled! Like they always say, “a couple that recycles together stays together”. (That is what they say, right?)
5. Clean Out Your Cleaning Closet
Did you know that many cleaning products contain harmful chemicals that can threaten water quality, fish, and other wildlife after they’ve vanished down the drain? So set Pandora to your favorite station, and go through your cupboard with your partner, throwing away anything that contains ammonia, sodium hypochlorite, alkylphenol ethoxylates or phosphates, and petroleum-based products that increase our nation’s reliance on imported oil. Toss cleaning products that contain “Danger”, “Warning”, or even “Caution” on their labels. Consider cleaning with a combo of water, soap, lemon juice, vinegar, baking soda and borax instead!
6. Plant A Tree
Spring is the perfect time to plant a tree, which benefits the environment in an incredible number of ways: Trees produce oxygen, filter air pollution, provide homes for wildlife, and are 100% renewable, biodegradable, and recyclable. Pick a great place in your yard or community for your tree to live. Do some research on the species that would best thrive in the environment in which you live. Best of all, planting a tree with the love of your life is one of the most romantic acts you can partake in as a pair: together, you can watch it grow, as your love for one another continues to do the same.
