MSNBC: Give Back to the Earth
Filed under: Earth 911 - April 21, 2008
You can find out about major Earth Day celebrations around the globe—and ways to take action and make your everyday life more environmentally friendly—through the Earth Day Network. The organization, which developed out of the first Earth Day in 1970, convened Sunday’s star-studded rally on the National Mall calling on Congress to act on global warming.
More resources and some affordable fresh-air getaways are below.
- Call2Recycle and Earth911: Find recycling and reusing locations for items including computers, batteries, plastics, tires, and books, plus information on composting and green shopping.
- CarbonFund: A carbon-offset outfit that has begun a partnership with Orbitz and lets donors direct their money to renewable energy, reforestation, energy-efficiency projects, or some combination thereof. (Find out more about carbon offsetters here.)
- Earthwatch, American Hiking Society, Global Exchange and Oceanic Society: Socially conscious organizations that, among other things, run trips that benefit the local environment and community.
- Fuel Economy: One-stop place for information on hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles, and on how to stretch your gas dollars and the life of your car.
- Green Drinks International: Informal monthly meet-ups held in hundreds of cities for people whose jobs and/or interests are geared towards the environment.
- National Park Service: Search for national parks by name, location, and activity. Use our month-by-month guide and advice from Kurt Repanshek, author of “National Parks With Kids,” to help plan your next visit.
- PayItGreen Alliance: This site’s Green Calculator determines the impact you’d make by switching from paper to electronic billing. Every two percent of American households that move to electronic bills, statements and payments, collectively save 181,128 trees and avoid creating enough wastewater to fill 218 Olympic-size swimming pools.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Learn more about national wildlife refuges, conservation efforts, and educational events for all ages held at a refuge near you.