With Earth Day fast approaching, you might be wondering what to do for the planet – and while it’s a monumental task requiring political action, greater climate literacy and organised global responses, there are a few little things we can all do to make a difference. 

Earth Day 2023’s theme is “Invest in Our Planet”, with the goal of raising awareness around environmental pollution, deforestation and unethical practises that are putting our planet and its ecosystems at risk. That’s why we’ve decided to share a few tips for getting involved in this day in simple, quick and easy ways that won’t cost the earth – pun intended! 

Steer clear of plastic

Plastic is one of the biggest contributors to waste – from land to ocean, this stuff is everywhere. In NSW alone, single-use plastics make up 60% of our litter with around 40% of that number winding up in our oceans and waterways where it can damage ecosystems and kill marine life. Around the world plastic pollution poses a major threat to our environment, along with bolstering global warming, and with 8 trillion tonnes of plastic entering our oceans every year and 100, 000 deaths of marine life, it’s clear to see why initiatives and legal changes are being rolled out. So, this Earth Day, it’s time to minimise our plastic use.

What to do: Try bringing a reusable bag to the supermarket, go for the loose produce over the plastic-packed options, skip the glad wrap for your lunch and pop it into a reusable container instead, and bring your own reusable coffee cups and water bottles to cafes. 

Eat less meat

Eating less meat can significantly reduce the stress on forests used for animal feed production, thereby improving biodiversity and protecting our ecosystems. Plus, there are a number of health benefits that come with reducing our intake – with red meat-eaters facing a 22% higher risk for heart disease, the animals aren’t the only ones to benefit when you cut meat out of your diet.  It’s estimated that one vegan saves over 900 square feet of forest area, nearly 300 kilos of carbon dioxide output and over 33, 000 gallons of water each month – but even just going vegetarian or reducing your overall intake of meat can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and improve the treatment of animals. From the 40 billion chickens living in overcrowded factory farms to cows crammed into small spaces, not only are animals suffering, but we’re seeing a rise in disease, pollution and greenhouse gases.

What to do: If you’re trying to eat more protein-rich foods, try legumes and fermented legumes like natto and tempeh, try switching one meat-based meal into a plant-based meal, or you might even want to set yourself a goal to reduce your meat purchases by 50%.

Grow your own veggies

Not only will you save money by growing your own veggies, herbs and fruits, but you’ll also reduce the amount of visits to your local grocery store, cut down on consumption of products that rely on transportation, excessive water use and other resources, along with providing you with nutritious, home-sourced produce.

What to do: Just think how simple it would be to reach over to pick some spinach out of the garden for tonight’s soup! You can set up a garden in the backyard or set out some pots on your balcony or kitchen bench. Take a look HERE to see how you can regrow produce from old scraps.

Get into composting

With half of all fruit and veggie produce wasted and an output of nearly 80 million tonnes of waste in Australia every year, we have a bit of a landfill problem. This is because food wastage is a big contributor to climate change due to the methane released from fruit and veggie scraps. When you take into account the 28% of food each Aussie household wastes, composting poses an attractive solution.

What to do: You don’t have to have a big backyard to make it happen – indoor composting has been growing in popularity as it’s accessible to apartment-dwellers or those who are looking to enjoy the convenience and benefits of kitchen bench composting. Unlike outdoor composting, keeping your heap inside means you won’t have to worry about sheltering your compost from direct sunlight and rain – in fact, it flourishes year-round in an indoor environment.

Try cycling or walking where possible

Not only will the planet be happy, but you’ll benefit from the physical exercise and you’ll cut down on emissions from vehicles if you walk or cycle to work. If your workplace is within walking distance, it can help to take that time to think and mentally prepare for the day ahead, along with unwinding after a stressful day. Those endorphins can help lower your cortisol levels – the “stress” hormone” and leave you feeling calmer at the end of the day.

What to do: If you’re able to cycle or walk to certain places, it’s worth giving it a go! You might even want to try walking or cycling to the supermarket – of course, this might depend on how close you live.

Whether you’re looking to eat healthier or fight off a sugar addiction, we’re here to help. Join us for the 8-Week Program and we’ll help you change the way you look at food – and that doesn’t mean you have to follow restrictive diets or miss out on your favourite foods; we believe you can still enjoy delicious food without jeopardising your health. With celebrity chef Sarah Glover on our panel of experts, you’ll have an array of fun recipes at your fingertips, along with our own exclusive armoury of simple, tasty and healthy recipes for everything from daily meals to impressive entertaining. We know it can be hard to stick to your health goals – especially when you’re trying to manage it alone. When you sign up with us, you’ll have access to clear-cut meal plans, community support and exclusive access to our sugar-free content. Here’s what’s on offer:

1. 8 weeks of meal plans and shopping lists.
2. 90+ member-only recipes.
3. Community forums to share your journey.
4. Support and guidance from the I Quit Sugar team.
5. Exclusive content from our panel of experts.

So, if you’re ready to ditch sugar and the host of maladies that come with it, it’s not too late to join. We’d love to help you get started on your health journey. Sign up HERE today!