1) Leave your keys at home and go on ride a bike ride by yourself or with your significant other
2) Reconnect with your surroundings by visiting a nature preserve or national park.
3) Give away free trade chocolate or endangered species chocolate and help out a charity. Check The Huffington Post’s chocolate list.(2)
4) Visit your local farmers market and indulged in local produce.
5) Plant a tree with family and friends.
6) Skip the harmful chemicals in perfumes and look into purchasing essential oils.
7) Have a picnic on the beach and admire the ecological life in the tide pools.
8). 8) Bask in natural light in your home. Open all windows and blinds during the day and reduce your heating bill by letting the natural solar heat do the work instead of your thermostat. Try making Sun Tea with children.(1)
9) Schedule a time to watch the sun go down and then stars come out.
10) Throw a dinner party using the food you clear out from that old second fridge or freezer. Consider about donating it or taking it to the recycling center to cut back on energy expenses. (1)
11) Pass on the meat this V-day (which accounts for about 18 percent of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions and accounts for about 23 percent of all global water) and for opt for some yummy vegetarian options.
12) Send an e-card instead of a paper one. The Natural Resource Defense Council e-card is a great one because when you buy you are also donating. (2)
13) Adopt a farm animal (2)
14) Giving away jewelry? Consider looking into antique or pre-owned rocks with unique cuts and that also bypasses the need for additional pollution caused by mining. (2)
Sources:
1. Huber, Jeanne. “22 Little Ways to Go Green – CNN.” Featured Articles from CNN. Cable News Network, 23 Oct. 2007. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://articles.cnn.com/2007-10-23/living/22.go.green_1_energy-saving-bulbs-cordless-tools-power-tools?_s=PM:LIVING>.
2. “Valentine’s Day Green Gift Guide: Eco-Friendly Presents That Will Leave An Impression (PHOTOS).” Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. The Huffington Post, 07 Feb. 2012. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/07/valentines-day-green-gift-guide_n_1261241.html>.
