49th Annual Earth Day

April 22^st marks the 49^th annual Earth Day, a global event dedicated to acknowledging and preserving the health of our planet. In 1970, in an effort to protest industrial development and the damage it was causing, millions of people flooded streets around the world to march, sign petitions, and bring awareness to others. Today, 192 countries take part in Earth Day, partaking in activities dedicated to improving the state of our planet, including speaking with elected officials, community cleanup, and planting trees.

Lure Essentials is happy to do our part by ensuring that our cupping materials are eco-friendly and fully recyclable. In 2018, the theme of Earth Day was End Plastic Pollution – plastic has emerged as a significant pollutant, posing particular danger to our oceans and marine life. Part of that initiative was to end single-use plastic and promote 100% recycling of plastics. When you purchase a Lure cupping system you can be sure that the product is not only multi-use, but easily recyclable, keeping in line with the 2018 initiative.

This year, Earth Day is focused on a new project: Protect our Species. From the Earth Day Network’s website:

Nature’s gifts to our planet are the millions of species that we know and love, and many more that remain to be discovered. Unfortunately, human beings have irrevocably upset the balance of nature and, as a result, the world is facing the greatest rate of extinction since we lost the dinosaurs more than 60 million years ago. But unlike the fate of the dinosaurs, the rapid extinction of species in our world today is the result of human activity.

To help promote awareness and spark action, the campaign is asking that people educate themselves and others about the millions of species that are either endangered or extinct as a result of human activity, strive for policy changes that will help protect them, and encourage individual action.

Bees, giraffes, whales, elephants, and many types of insects are all on the list of endangered and threatened species, and without a concerted effort from the population as a whole, could join the ranks of extinct.

While Earth Day is a great jumping off point for change, bigger strides are needed to make a true impact. If you’d like to participate in the initiative to help improve our planet’s health, here are some easy ways a small effort can make a big impact:

1. Recycle – Probably one of the biggest changes you can impart is by being diligent in recycling efforts.
2. Reduce and reuse – Your daily iced coffee habit can lead to hundreds of plastic cups over the course of a single year. Consider purchasing a reusable cup for daily use and cut down on the amount of plastic you’re consuming.
3. Plant – One way to make a difference is to put back into the Earth by keeping a fresh vegetable garden. Not only will it benefit the planet, it will also help your health and your wallet.
4. Unplug – Take one day a week and limit your television and electric appliance use. This is a great reason to head outdoors for some one-on-one time with nature.
5. No Meat – You don’t have to embrace a full vegetarian lifestyle, but going meat-free even one day per week is an ideal way to benefit the planet and it’s not bad for your health either.

To learn more about Earth Day and the ways you can help, visit https://www.earthday.org/