Maybe you missed skipping the straw or forgot to bring a reusable bag to the grocery – fear not as there are other ways to save the planet and at the same time, do something good for yourself (#selfcare). Kidding aside, fitness-meets-conservation is a concept that operates behind the rationale that exercise and environmentalism can go hand in hand to foster a better ecosystem for the flora and fauna that we, as humans, tend to recklessly neglect on a daily basis.
In the spirit of Earth Day, we rounded up some fitness activities that could help reverse actions which threaten our biodiversity.
1. Strawkling
You might be asking, “What on Earth is strawkling?”. Basically, STRAWkling means to snorkel for straws. Every year, 8 million tonnes of plastic end up in our oceans. In order to help combat the plastic pollution crisis in their own way, this movement was started by divers in Sydney, Australia. Items such as plastic straws, plastic bags, and discarded fishing lines have been recorded as some of the common pollutants. Operation Straw, the organisation that spearheaded this eco-friendly initiative, also works with local businesses to implement measures in going plastic-free as they go about their day to day operations.
Read also: Plastic is a problem for travel – we’re helping to clean it up
2. Plogging
Plogging is the English version of Plogga – a mashup of the word jogging and the Swedish term plocka upp, which means to pick up. Unlike diving, that might seem intimidating for some, taking part in this activity is easy peasy. All you need is to go out for a leisurely run and pick up pieces of litter as you go.
3. #Trashtag
It’s refreshing to see social media being used to shed light on things that truly matter. #trashtag is an online challenge that instigates movement and encourages users to post before and after pictures of places they’ve chosen to clean up. Currently, there are over 78 thousand Instagram posts with the hashtag.
Read also: Creating a Plastic-less World with Bye Bye Plastic Bags’ Melati and Isabel Wijsen
4. Green gym movement
Trade in the four walls of your usual gym, get out in the open air and participate in this group-based activity, which originally started in the UK back in 1959. It consists of sessions such as practical gardening to maintain urban parks, clearing up deadwood, sowing meadows, and establishing wildlife ponds. This conservation project connects the community to green spaces to deliver lasting beneficial outcomes for both. It also serves as an initiative that encourages the improvement of mental health and wellbeing, by being outdoors, active, and connecting with other people.
Read also: The Luxe Nomad pledges to go plastic-free in Bali
5. Take a walk to your local municipality!
You might be reading this last headline with extreme puzzlement, but if you are interested in a new French policy – let me spill the tea. In Paris, citizens can now process a permit that allows you to convert public spaces into your very own garden in order to promote a greener city. Chemical pesticides are banned while the planting of bee-friendly plants, fruit trees, and “living walls” are encouraged.
Does your exercise help the planet?
