Earth Day 2012 is just around the corner

As spring blooms across the country, it’s the perfect time to recognize just how important the environment is to every one of us.

To help Canadians make the most of it, Earth Day Canada has launched two campaigns during the month of April that give everyone—kids, families, youth, groups, businesses—a chance to take up new healthy behaviours that benefit themselves and the environment. The great thing about these actions is that they’re easy to do and once you do them a few times, they become a regular part of daily routines.

Act for the Planet!, a kid-powered campaign hosted by Ecokids, offers downloadable step-by-step guides for actions that are fun and easy for teachers or youth groups, as well as things young people can do on their own. Kids can register their commitments and get a chance at great prizes from Ecokids sponsor, Sony Canada.

For the rest of us, lifestyle choices are typically based on convenience, complacency and habit, but these come with a price. Earth Day Canada’s Take It Up for Earth Day campaign can help you make better decisions about what you eat, drink and what resources you use.

Featuring a long list of notable participants, including Ecoholic author, Survivorman’s Les Stroud and Annie Leonard, founder of the popular Story of Stuff project,  the campaign challenges all of us to take up the following pro-environmental behaviours:

• Eat and prepare more plant-based foods at home
• Drink tap water and get water–wise
• Care: Detox your personal care routine
• Move: Activate your lifestyle with outdoor, unplugged activities.

Along with practising new ways of living, there are all kinds of Earth Day events happening throughout Canada. Look for events in your area and find out how you can get involved.

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