Earth Day serves as our yearly reminder that we need to take steps to protect our planet. Though it’s not anyone’s sole responsibility to save the planet, many people doing a little bit can make a big difference. So here are three small and manageable things that you can do:

• Eat a plant-based diet. Livestock production requires massive resources and is responsible for 10% of global greenhouse emissions. Consider visiting a plant-based restaurant or a restaurant with lots of plant-based options. If you’re not ready for something totally plant-based, eating vegetarian can still have a meaningful impact.

• Nix the plastic! It’s estimated that 1 million to 2 million tons of plastic enter our oceans every year. Invest in reusable items such as water bottles, coffee mugs and shopping bags. Also, educate yourself on efforts to combat plastic pollution. Visit reimaginetakeout.com/map/ to learn about local businesses dedicated to reducing plastic waste as well as composting.

• Support those doing the work. Protecting the planet costs money. There are many ways to support the people and organizations doing this critical work. While financial donations go a long way, there are other options to support environmental initiatives, such as volunteering and using social media to raise awareness. Many environmental activists rely on social media to spread their messages and work, so following and sharing can have a significant impact on their overall visibility.

Michael Steinfeld

Squirrel Hill

The writer is a Humane Action Pittsburgh volunteer.

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