Earth Day is a holiday that comes every year on April 22nd. It is a holiday not as widely celebrated as it could/should be. I remember during my time growing up going to elementary school in Oklahoma, Earth Day was a holiday that was briefly mentioned and to celebrate, our teacher might take us outside for an extra 45 minutes that day.
Now, it is my belief that instead of only designating one day per year to celebrate Earth, we can celebrate our planet daily by making an effort to be environmentally conscious. In this post, I’ll briefly explain several basic actions that anyone can do to be environmentally friendly.
Let me preface this post by saying that I do not label myself as an environmentalist. However, the Earth is home to 7.6 billion people and trillions of other animals. That number will only grow because, well, biology and stuff. I believe it is important to take care of the planet that we’re pretty much stuck in until we figure out a way to head off to Mars. I also believe it is very important to do our part in preserving our planet so that future generations can enjoy the beauty that is planet Earth. Those two things shouldn’t have to be politicized.
As mountain bikers, we often get an up-close and personal look at Earth. Granted, sometimes the view is hard to focus on because we’re flying down the side of a mountain, but generally speaking, we enjoy spending time outdoors. A large majority of mountain biking is done outside. Being outdoors is in the very nature (pun definitely intended) of the sport.
Now, imagine future generations of mountain bikers not being able to enjoy the same outdoor experiences that we do. I would never wish that upon anyone.
I believe it is as important now as it has ever been that we are actively doing our part to help protect and preserve our planet. Even seemingly small actions can have the biggest impact if we all pitched in together.
For example, an easy way to support the environment is to support companies that fight for the environment. Brands like Patagonia, REI Co-Op, Cotopaxi, Clif Bar & Company, Columbia, and the North Face are all examples of companies who don’t just sell products — they advocate for a cleaner environment and put measures in place to reduce their environmental footprint. Purchasing products from companies that advocate for the environment is a simple way to pitch in and help conserve the planet.
If your commute allows it, ride your bike to work. There is nothing like a brisk, morning bike ride. It can be relaxing and refreshing. As mountain bikers, we love to bike as it is. Being able to spend more time on a bike and reduce my carbon footprint at the same time sounds like a win-win scenario to me.
Maybe your commute distance simply won’t allow you to bike. Instead, try to carpool with a friend who works close to your job or with a co-worker. For every person you carpool with, one less car is on the road leading to fewer vehicle emissions. You can also reap the benefits of the HOV lane if your area has one. If your city has a decent public transportation system, take advantage of that, as well.
Another simple measure to take is to take steps to ensure that you are being eco-friendly in your own home. Turn off lights when they aren’t in use. Use eco-friendly fluorescent light bulbs. Take shorter showers. Regulate running water usage. Cut down on the usage of paper/plastic products. Recycle. For more tips on reducing home carbon footprint, check out https://www.amerisleep.com/blog/reduce-family-carbon-footprint/
All of these steps are some of the bare-minimum actions that any person can take.
As mountain bikers, we can take initiative even in our own sport to make sure we are being environmentally friendly.
Doing things like not littering while on a ride, being careful about not causing destruction on a trail, or even understanding what bike manufacturers are doing to help the environment can all help in the grand scheme of things. A more detailed list of MTB-specific actions can be found here.
At this point, you are probably questioning the statement that I made earlier about not being an environmentalist. While I don’t claim the title, I view it as good stewardship to do what I can to help prolong our planet’s life. If that makes me an environmentalist, then sign me up.
I would like to challenge you to take steps in your own life to reduce your own carbon footprint. To estimate your carbon footprint, use a carbon footprint calculator like this one from nature.org.
We can all do our part to help ensure that many generations to come can enjoy our planet in the same ways that we do every day. Share one way that you try to be environmentally conscious in the comments below.
Happy Earth Day.
Stay shredding,
Miles
