--- title: Earth Day 2017: What You Can Do to Help the Environment description: Everyday citizens can make a difference on Earth Day, and it's not just the simple fixes you've heard about like turning off the lights. canonical: https://time.com/4748331/earth-day-2017-what-you-can-do/ author: Justin Worland article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2017-04-21T12:17:52.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-02-23T04:31:17.620Z article:section: Science og:title: 3 Easy Ways to Make a Difference on Earth Day og:description: You can do more than just turn off your lights og:url: https://time.com/4748331/earth-day-2017-what-you-can-do/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte311aa7b4f4a0217/6988c3c3ab6d77359b6adbc9/view-of-earth-from-above-satellite-view.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 4800 og:image:height: 2700 og:image:alt: 170420_Earth from above og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: 3 Easy Ways to Make a Difference on Earth Day twitter:description: You can do more than just turn off your lights twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte311aa7b4f4a0217/6988c3c3ab6d77359b6adbc9/view-of-earth-from-above-satellite-view.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # 3 Easy Ways to Make a Difference on Earth Day > Sponsored content. 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Future Proof is free at time.com/newsletters.  by [Justin Worland](https://time.com/author/justin-worland/)  ## Justin Worland Senior Correspondent Apr 21, 2017 12:17 PM UTC  315645.jpg 315645.jpg Ro-Ma Stock Photography—Getty Images  by [Justin Worland](https://time.com/author/justin-worland/)  ## Justin Worland Senior Correspondent Apr 21, 2017 12:17 PM UTC The daunting challenges facing the planet — from man-made [climate change](http://time.com/4712153/climate-change-deniers-donald-trump-epa-global-warming/) to rapidly [declining biodiversity](http://time.com/4709114/bumble-bee-endangered-species-trump/) — may make you feel like giving up. But everyday citizens can make a difference, and it’s not just the simple fixes you’ve heard about like turning off the lights, reducing water waste and driving less. Just in time for [Earth Day](http://time.com/4746158/earth-day-2017/) on April 22, here are three ways you may not have realized can make a big dent fast. **Speak up** Federal policymakers at government groups like the [Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)](https://www.epa.gov/) are required to have a notice and comment period as they craft new environmental regulations. Anyone can comment via [regulations.gov](https://www.regulations.gov/), and these comments can make a big difference in the way policies are shaped. This is an especially timely moment, as many key environmental rules like the [Clean Power Plan](http://time.com/3981535/white-house-clean-power-plan/) and the [Waters of the U.S. rule](http://time.com/4685522/donald-trump-epa-water-rule/) are being reevaluated and could be weakened or eliminated entirely — a fact both sides of the climate change debate are using to mobilize their followers. While one comment may not change a policy’s direction, regulators are required to provide a written response. **Eat less meat — and spread the message** Agriculture, forestry and related land uses contribute 24% of the country’s climate change-causing greenhouse emissions, according to the EPA, and animal agriculture contributes a significant portion of that. [Research](http://time.com/4266874/vegetarian-diet-climate-change/) published last year from Oxford University found that simply adhering to dietary recommendations — scientists say 5 to 6 ounces of protein a day is a healthy level of consumption — would reduce global food-related emissions by a third by 2050\. Widespread adoption of vegetarianism would slash emissions by nearly two-thirds, according to the research. **Stop home leaks** Replacing old windows, turning off lights and slowing water waste tend to get the most attention as ways to make your home more efficient, but sealing leaks can make a more significant difference much faster. The Department of Energy estimates that the average American spends $2,000 annually on energy bills, and $200 to $400 of that total is wasted as a result of leaks. And that makes a big difference when applied to the entire U.S. The simple solution is to search for holes and crevices around the house allow conditioned air — warm air in the winter and cold in the summer — to seep out and air from the outside to enter. Caulking and weather stripping crevices is a simple approach to the problem. Sealing the edges of ducts — the tubes that allow air to flow for heating and cooling — is also a valuable target for a conscientious homeowner. 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