5 Easy Environmental Actions for Spring

Date Published: April 1, 2021

As of a few weeks ago, it is officially spring! And after what felt like an exceptionally looooong winter of physical distancing, you may be feeling eager to get out into nature and enjoy the warmer weather.

While you’re soaking up that springtime sun, consider taking some time to protect the natural environment around you. It doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking -- even spending just a few minutes to a few hours doing one of these easy environmental actions will make a huge impact! (Be sure to follow any guidelines for mask-wearing or physical distancing from your local health department.)

1) Pick up litter in your community.

This is a classic action for the environment -- and for good reason! By collecting and properly disposing of litter, you’re keeping debris from harming animal habitats and releasing toxins into the soil, water, and air. (Plus, it’s super easy to scoop up a few stray pieces of trash on a quick afternoon walk.)

When it comes to litter, most people think of plastic bottles and bags, but don’t overlook the environmental impact of one particularly tiny culprit: cigarette butts. With 4.5 trillion discarded each year, cigarette butts are the most-littered item on the planet and the single greatest source of ocean trash. They’re also toxic to aquatic life, dangerous to humans, and have been linked to deadly wildfires.

Cleaning up cigarette butts protects humans, animals, and the environment. That’s why DoSomething members have picked up 3.7 million butts already through our GTFO: Get the Filter Out campaign. And you can join them by cleaning up cigarette butts around your neighborhood!

2) Grow some critter-friendly plants.

If you’re concerned about the decreasing population of bumblebees or monarch butterflies, then we have good news: you can help pollinators, birds, and other critters just by planting the right kind of stuff in your yard or garden.

For example, planting milkweed provides a food source for monarch butterflies in the larval stage, and planting blooming flowers like poppies or lilac supports bees with their nectar (and they’ll look really great too!).

Check out this list of plants you can grow to preserve biodiversity in your area. There’s probably no better time than spring to channel your inner green thumb -- just be sure to avoid any pesticides and opt for native plants to your region.

3) Ditch your car for a day.

Transportation is the #1 source of greenhouse gas emissions in the US, releasing an estimated 1.8 billion pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year. By choosing a greener form of transportation for even just one day, you can save several pounds of CO2 and decrease air pollution.

While it’s nice outside, consider swapping out your car for a bike or walk instead. You’ll get to enjoy the springtime weather and decrease the amount of harmful emissions, with plenty of time to stop and smell the flowers along the way.

4) Plant a tree.

Trees contribute a lot to keeping our planet healthy and thriving. They provide oxygen, improve air and water quality, keep temperatures cooler, support wildlife, and more. Early spring before the heavy rains or summer heat is one of the best times for a tree to establish roots and start growing tall and strong, so take advantage of the timing and get planting. You can buy potted tree seedlings at your local nursery and then plant them in your neighborhood.

Don’t feel like you have to plant a whole forest either because the power of even just one tree is huge. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, one large tree can provide a day’s supply of oxygen for up to four people.

5) Organize a yard sale of reusable items.

The shifting season means that a lot of us are also due for a good spring cleaning. As you're decluttering, keep a look out for the furniture, clothing, and other household goods that could be given new life -- it could make a big difference for the environment.

Take clothes for example. About 95% of all used clothing, footwear and other household fabric products can be reused or recycled, yet only 15% of reusable textiles are recycled. It takes about 1,000 gallons of water and 73 pounds of CO2 emissions to make one pair of jeans, so when they end up in landfills, they waste energy and resources, increase the demand for more production, and take years and years to decompose.

Instead, host a yard sale to pass those items along to someone else, extending the item’s lifespan and keeping harmful waste from building up in landfills.