WESTLAND, Mich. -- Every year on April, 22nd we celebrate Earth Day. A worldwide event in which over 1 billion people and 192 countries participate, this is when we return the favor to our planet for everything it gives us, as well as raise awareness of environmental issues. Everyone celebrates Earth Day in their own way, and even the simplest action can make a huge impact, but whatever you do: show your love for the planet!
To help celebrate Earth Day, here are 5 activities you can do to help the planet from Graff Bay City!
1. DITCH PLASTIC, GO REUSABLE
Every year, the world uses around 500 billion plastic bags, many of which end up in our rivers, lakes, and oceans. An easy way you can help to reduce this number is to get a reusable shopping bag. Most major supermarket chains offer their own at the checkout for as little as $1.00, which is a small price to pay if it means helping to preserve our planet's water, including our beloved Great Lakes. On top of that, reusable shopping bags are pretty sturdy as well as spacious. Not only will you be helping to reduce waste, but you also won't have to deal with your groceries plummeting to the ground through the bottom of a flimsy plastic bag.
2. GO VEGETARIAN
The meat industry is unfortunately responsible for about 20% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases cause the greenhouse gas effect otherwise known as "global warming." Now to a Michigander, a rise in temperatures isn't exactly unwelcome. However, global warming not only warms our planet's surface but it also leads to more extreme weather which can lead harsher and longer winters.
Now, you don't have to go full veg if you don't want to, because going meat-free just once a week (popularly known as Meatless Mondays) can make a real difference. For example, if you gave up meat one day a week over the course of one year, the environmental effect is equivalent to that of taking your car off the road for 320 miles. Switching to a plant-based diet also does a lot to reduce our use of energy, water, and gas.
3. GREEN UP YOUR RIDE
According to the EPA, the average passenger vehicle lets off 5.2 metric tons of carbon dioxide every year, making the transportation sector responsible for 27% of America's greenhouse gas emissions. One way to help cut this down is to cut down on car usage whenever possible, and simply walk or ride a bike. If everyone did this just once every two weeks, billions of gallons of gasoline would be conserved. On top of that, every mile pedaled or walked keeps about one pound of CO2 out of the air we breathe.
Of course, not everyone's day-to-day can accommodate giving up regularly giving up cars. Most major auto companies including Chevy, however, offer hybrid options like the 2018 Malibu Hybrid, and they do a heck of a lot of good. Hybrid models of mid-sized sedans, mid-sized and full-sized SUVs reduce smog-producing gas emissions 15%, 19%, and 21%, respectively than conventional vehicles. Let's also not forget the crazy gas mileage hybrids provide, with the 2018 Malibu Hybrid offering 49 city/43 highway. Not only does this do a lot of good for the planet, but also for your wallet.
4. GO PAPERLESS AND RECYCLE
The average American uses about 728 pounds of paper every year, which is a ton of trees being cut down. Deforestation is a threat to not only the environment but to our survival. The rainforests of South America produce 20% of the planet's oxygen, and forests in general help to keep greenhouse gases under control since they absorb carbon dioxide in order to produce oxygen. As they continue to disappear and be replaced by industries like pulp and paper, we can expect our climate change issue to get even worse, on top of the threat of running out of oxygen to sustain life.
Going paperless is a simple yet highly impactful way you can make a difference for the better. Most financial institutions nowadays offer a paperless billing option to send your account statements and other important documents to your inbox rather than your mailbox. For paper things that you can't avoid, like junk mail, resolve to throw it in the recycle bin rather than the trash can. The more paper we can reuse, the fewer trees that need to be cut down to make more. If the US alone cut its paper consumption by just 10%, it would reduce the same amount of greenhouse gases as taking 280,000 cars off the road.
5. PERFORM A HOME ENERGY AUDIT
Drafty windows or an old refrigerator are more than just annoying, they're energy wasters, which in turn wastes resources as well as tons of your money every year. The Department of Energy published a guide that shows you how to perform a DIY energy audit and how to make real changes that can significantly impact your energy consumption and monthly bills for the better.
This Earth Day, Graff Bay City asks you to do your part in giving back to the planet that gives us so much. No matter how big or small, every step you take towards living a greener lifestyle helps. Over half of our Mitten State is covered in acres of beautiful forests, and our Great Lakes are an integral part of life in Michigan. When you do any of these things to celebrate Earth Day, you'll also be helping to keep your home state healthy.
Hank Graff Chevy is located at 3636 Wilder Road, Bay City, MI 48706 and we are here to help our community grow to become an even better place to call home! For more information on Hank Graff Chevrolet, or for any questions call us at (989) 684-4411 or visit our website: www.GraffBayCity.com.
