Terry’s Top 10: Ways to Celebrate Earth Day Year-Round
By Terry Massey
I love the Earth.
Wrote a song about it.
Wanna hear it? Here it goes:
”Happy Earth Day to you, you're one giant zoo. Happy Earth Day Dear Earrr-rrth ...” You know the rest of it. Sing along.
OK, so I didn't really write it so much as I stole it, or as “American Idol” judges would more nicely put it, I made it my own.
That's what strikes me as odd about the holiday. We don't own the Earth; it owns us.
It was spinning through space long before we got here and it will keep spinning long after we're gone, unless we manage to blow it up.
Yet we celebrate it one day a year, like it was a dead president or a furry rodent that allegedly predicts the weather.
”Gee, thanks,” Earth says. “I gave you life and light and oxygen and water and land, and you gave me 24 hours of meaningless slogans.”
My favorite is “Why can't every day be Earth Day?” It already is! No Earth, no us, no day – that simple. But there are things we can do to help preserve the Earth and prolong our time on it. Here are the top 10 ways to celebrate Earth Day year 'round:
10) After spending the day at the beach, don't just pick up your own trash. While you're at it, clean up after those who left litter behind. Is it fair? No. But it is good manners. When you have guests over for dinner, do you make them do the dishes? Same thing with some tourists who come to town and treat the beach like a garbage dump. There's always room for a little more litter in your trash bag, and you'll feel better for filling it up.
9) If you're like me, you probably have more phone books in your house than phones or books combined. Why do we do that, just in case we need to look up what someone's phone number was 10 years ago? HTC has partnered with Horry County Schools and Wendy's to collect and recycle the useless door-stoppers, and the proceeds go to benefit local education programs. Plus, they'll give you a free Frosty just for dropping them off.
8) Ever wonder what those blue boxes are sitting on the curb next to the trash pelicans on collection day? Some folks must still be in the dark about the recycling bins since they only appear in front of half the houses. It may sound like a drag having to cart two containers to the curb once a week, but you will be amazed by the amount of waste you can reduce. You can pick them up free at the Myrtle Beach Public Works office.
7) The only things better than recycling are reducing and reusing. After all, there's no need to recycle something that never existed in the first place. That means donating old clothing and household items to local thrift shops or churches that provide them to the needy; or, as much as I hate them, having a yard sale. One morning of having bargain shoppers haggle over your hand-me-downs is good for the planet and your wallet.
6) Thursday afternoon is the Earth Day Rocks celebration at McLean Park in North Myrtle Beach, where “green” vendors (I assume the stuff they sell is green, not the vendors themselves) will set up shop and live music will set the mood. Visitors are encouraged to bring their used athletic shoes, cell phones and eyeglasses to donate to local causes, and you'll clear out some closet, counter and junk drawer space in the process.
5) American are infatuated with fireworks. Something about blowing stuff up strikes a patriotic chord, especially at the beach. Although fireworks are illegal in Myrtle Beach, the jail isn't big enough to hold all the offenders. If you must blow stuff up, pick up the sticks, packaging and paper that often get left behind and sit in the sand until the tide comes in and washes it all out to sea. Be a real patriot and pick up what you blow up.
4) Stormwater drainage is the No. 1 threat to our coast, yet we seem content to let all of our pollution wash away to sea every time we get a good rain. But the bad stuff doesn't magically disappear. In fact, a lot of people end up getting sick from swimming in it. Although issues like bike laws and new roads might seem more pressing, make sure your local lawmakers know that stormwater projects are more than money down the drain.
3) The 13th Annual Spring Festival and Earth Day Events will be held all day Sunday at Broadway at the Beach, with live music, food and Earth-friendly vendors and activities scheduled. One of the best offers involves a free "green" bag for those who bring in 20 plastic bags for recycling. Imagine how many bags you can save by taking your own bags shopping with you. When the clerk says “Paper or plastic?” you can just say no.
2) With literally an ocean's worth of water in our backyard, it seems like we have an unlimited supply. But only 1 percent of the Earth's water is available for human consumption, and every drop counts. A hot bath uses 70 gallons of water plus the energy to heat all of it, while a five-minute power shower uses only 10 to 20 gallons. Also, fix that leaky faucet or toilet that's running up your water bill. It's literally money down the drain.
1) Millions of tourists wouldn't flock to Myrtle Beach if it was called Myrtle Desert. It's the “Beach” that brings in the crowds and brings home the bacon for a town that depends on tourism. “Going green” has a dual meaning on the Grand Strand. It's about the environment and the almighty dollar. Protecting our No. 1 natural resource and drawing card is smart ecologically and economically. Do your part to keep our beaches clean for future generations of locals and tourists alike. Take part in a beach sweep or take a personal stake in your local beach access. Make it your own.
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