April 22nd is Earth Day and now more than ever should we celebrate this day and every day going forward by showing our appreciation for making our planet a better place. COVID-19 has its mark on not only our lives but on our planet. Pollution from medical waste to municipal waste both organic and inorganic generation has had direct and indirect effects on the environment like our air, water, and soil. And with the bearing fact of how contagious the virus was, most countries postponed recycling efforts to reduce transmission which has led to increasing the landfilling and environmental pollutants globally.
Conquering the virus and saving the planet is a huge undertaking, and it must be done collectively. So, for days like this and going forward, let us all do our part in making our planet a better place. Here are some ideas on how you can help and participate this Earth day and going forward:
Winter is here; however, it may look a lot different than what we’re used to. As we prepare to strap up for the next hiking, skiing, or snowboarding trip, the new year comes with new challenges and safety regulations that needs to be taken account of to enjoy this winter wonderland. Winter is known to be an unpredictable season and weather can swing drastically making safety an even bigger concern. With hospitals overwhelmed with patients, it is strongly recommended that you practice safety and recreate responsibly.
During last week’s announcement when officials declared outdoor activities such as hiking safe from the bans and closures as long as we practiced social distancing, this gave us a brighter way in dealing with the outbreak. Getting some exercise and taking our minds away from the overcrowding of supermarkets and cooking your 17thmeal of the day, would at least keep us calm, let alone sane.
As the week progressed, trails became overcrowded and deemed unsafe and closures started to be implemented by many parks. Parking lots, trail heads, and even the remote zones were closed to the public. We are now advised to now stay home.