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So today people are celebrating Earth Day but today more than ever it is increasingly important to not just celebrate and care for our planet on this day–but every day.

The annual Earth Day celebration began as a grassroots demonstration on behalf of the environment in the spring of 1970 but efforts were actually in the works from about 1962.

Now, 39 years later, Earth Day is a national focus, people and communities across the nation conduct events geared toward teaching others how to help conserve and protect our planet.

Earth Day encourages people to be participants in conserving the environment and the animals in it.

But we need to make Earth Day and every day event through our actions.

We face bigger challenges today because people are disconnected from the natural world and their part in the web of life.

Helping people to reconnect in simple but effective ways can have a global impact.

I wrote a few tips about how pet owners can go green , going green with cat litter, and featured a guest post about eco-friendly pet beds with similar topics sharing other ideas planned for the future but what can you do now?

Try taking these steps on a weekly basis:

1. Carry a trash bag when you travel and take home your waste.
2. Pick up any litter you see around you on walks and in your neighborhood.
3. Clean up after your pet on walks and trips.
4. Take public transportation, commute with a coworker, or ride a bike once a week.
5. Recycle your waste so you reduce trash buildup.
6. Reduce your use of throw away products.
7. Use old fashioned and less toxic cleaning solutions.
8. Plant native plant species in your garden.
9. Use electronic technology options to cut down or eliminate paper billing statements.
10. Take action to reduce junk mail.

Check out the following resources for further information:

California Resident? Say No to Syrofoam!

Environmental Protection Agency

Earth Day for Kids

Live Green @YouTube

Discovery Green

What is your carbon footprint?

Earthday Network

Earth Day Website

Invasive Plant Information

California Invasive Plant Council

California Department of Food & Agriculture (Invasive Plants)

TNC Global Invasives Team

Do It Yourself: Stop Junk Mail

Privacy Rights: Reducing Junk Mail

Haleys Handy Cleaning Hints

Do you have any resources or tips to add? If so, please comment below.

Above: Peter Ash, of Lawford, Somerset has his hamster (Elvis) recharge his cell phone off grid.

Are you and your pets going green?

Peter Ash had a great idea on going green with his hamster Elvis. Too bad it didn’t make the grade, so to speak, because his project was only considered average (he got a “C” for the project).

There are a lot of ways you can go green and take steps to become an eco-friendly pet owner but this trend seems to be lagging when it comes to the homes of many pet owners…so I thought I would share a few tips on how to go green.

• Leash Up Don’t Let Loose

When it comes to keeping pets indoors (or under control when out in public) many pet owners fail. On first glance it doesn’t seem like this would be a problem but it is.

Keeping pets in (or under control out in public) actually helps protect wildlife from habitat disturbances, disease, and predation.

This is a big issue up in San Francisco where there is a dog war over the habitat disturbances of wild animals and dogs unleashed upon the area.

Outdoor feline adventures also contribute to the millions of birds killed annually by domestic cats.

• Say No to Junk Foods

Animal by-products (low grade waste from dead, dying, diseased, or disabled animals) are used in many pet foods.

You are what you eat takes on a different meaning if you give it a little thought.

Why would you feed your pet foods that are not fit for human consumption?

Nutrition is important to disease resistance and for maintaining health–which will ultimately help you save on vet bills.

Natural and organic pet foods are better for the environment and our pets.

Consider supporting sustainable agriculture and humanely framed foods that don’t contain hormones and are minimally processed–it really is the way to go.

Also avoid pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, artificial preservatives, artificial ingredients, and genetically engineered ingredients.

• Scoop That Poop!

Cleaning up after your pet prevents the transmission of parasites and other diseases through the environment or the water table.

Biodegradable poop bags or composting with something like the Doggie Dooley are better options than using plastic bags that stay in the landfills for eons.

Cat owners are also encouraged to move away from clay litter because the clay is strip mined–which is not earth friendly.

Try soy, wheat, or some of the other natural cat litters on the market.

Don’t forget that clay litters contain silca dust or sodium bentonite–both can create problems for your kitty.

• Recycled Goods

Get crafty by making toys with recycled materials or by purchasing earth friendly toys supports sustainable manufacturers.

• Go Natural

Natural products & cleaning aids are safer for your pets, your family, and the environment. Contrary to popular belief, non-toxic shampoos and gentle cleaning aids get the job done just as well as those containing toxic chemicals.

• Get Crafty

Grow your own–catnip or cat grass.

Growing veggies is a great way to add good foods to your pet’s food bowl and there are many herbs can be used to make natural pest control products.

Don’t forget that you can make toys from yarn or fabrics.

• Add your How to Go Green Pet Tips below!