As global temperatures continue to rise, at a pace of 0.2°C per decade, the frequency and severity of extreme weather phenomena, from scorching heat waves to devastating hurricanes and wildfires, are on the rise globally.

Amidst the shifting climate landscape, Earth Day, which is held on 22 April every year, serves as a poignant reminder of our collective responsibility to safeguard and conserve the environment that we call home. Participating in planting activities, in particular, offers a meaningful way to commemorate this occasion, fostering hands-on education and a tangible connection with nature.

Here at Geneco, Earth Day represents more than a once-a-year celebration — it embodies our ongoing dedication to fostering environmental awareness all year round. As Singapore’s No. 1 Residential Electricity Retailer, we recognise the important role that we have in advocating for sustainability for the well-being of future generations.

From supporting local grassroots campaigns to participating in nationwide initiatives like the National Parks Board’s #OneMillionTrees Movement, we hope to inspire and encourage everyone to join us in playing your part and taking action.

If you are eager to extend your commitment beyond Earth Day, here are 4 innovative ways that you can cultivate sustainable habits and start sowing the seeds of change.

1. Grow your own fresh greens at home

Growing a garden at home might seem difficult and tedious, but with microgreens, it is easier than you think. 

Packed with up to 40 times more nutrients than mature plants, microgreens take up less space and resources to grow, making them the perfect solution for those looking to cultivate gardening habits in our compact homes. 

With Everything Green, a local start-up that specialises in growing microgreens through containers, you will find a wide range of planting seeds and beginner-friendly starter kits, with no special equipment or skills required. The best part is, that each of these seeds is GMO-free and cultivated using sustainable farming practices, without using any synthetic fertiliser, pesticide, or herbicide.

Founder Sakina takes pride in demystifying home gardening, encouraging Singaporeans to turn their balconies, window sills, and even office desks into green hotspots. With microgreens that are ready for harvest in less than a week, there are endless possibilities for fresh, flavourful greens right at your fingertips. If you are interested in starting, do check out the Everything Green Microgreen Starter Kits available on their website.

2. Pick up the skill of home-harvesting mushrooms

Once you have mastered microgreens, dive into the fascinating world of mushroom cultivation. 

Mushrooms, beyond their delicious umami flavours, play a crucial role in the health of our ecosystem. In the wild, they help to decompose organic matter, recycle nutrients and even support plant growth.  

Local organisation Bewilder is leading the way in demonstrating the real-world application of fungi. With circularity as its core principle, they transform various local waste materials into gourmet and medicinal mushrooms, cultivating over 20 types of gourmet and herbal mushrooms, from Shiitake, Lion’s Mane, Golden Oyster, Flower Lingzhi, and more. 

They also offer the only Mushroom Grow Kit in Singapore, with controlled, small-batch production to ensure quality and freshness for every home harvest. 

By growing your own mushrooms at home, you can help to reduce reliance on commercially produced food, thereby lowering carbon emissions associated with transportation and packaging — another way you can make a positive impact beyond Earth Day. 

You can shop their Mushroom Grow kits directly here.

3. Elevate your home decor with terrariums

Beyond growing edible plants, you can also start your own indoor gardening project with succulent planters by building terrariums with the little ones.  

Terrariums provide a charming and low-maintenance alternative compared to potted plants, not only adding visual greenery, but also improving air quality by filtering out toxins in the air. 

If you would like to add a personal touch to your home decor, check out The Green Capsule for their latest terrarium workshops. With classes designed for various age groups, you can gather with your loved ones and flex your botanical creativity, while relishing in its therapeutic nature to destress at the same time. 

Book an upcoming workshop here or you can also shop their range of terrarium and DIY kits.

4. Plant a tree for a greener tomorrow

Today, Singapore’s standing as one of the world’s greenest cities is a testament to our nation’s efforts in restoring nature into our urban landscape. Beyond moderating temperature through transpiration and shading, trees play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gases, helping to mitigate the impact of climate change.

With the vision to restore nature back into our city, the National Parks Board’s (NParks) has launched the #OneMillionTrees movement, which aims to plant a million more trees across Singapore by 2030.

As part of Geneco’s commitment to NParks’ Plant-A-Tree programme, under their #OneMillionTrees movement, we have been planting 50 trees each year over the last four years towards our goal of planting 250 trees over five years. In celebration of Geneco’s 6th Anniversary and Earth Day 2024, we are proud to be holding our 4th annual Plant-A-Tree event at East Coast Park this year.

As community is key to the success of this movement, you too can be a part of the initiative and take action to help expand Singapore’s green canopy. By contributing to NParks’ Garden City Fund, you can get to sponsor or volunteer to plant a tree in one of NParks’ managed green spaces.

To get started, visit NParks’ website here.

Let’s foster sustainable habits today

Making a meaningful impact on the environment starts with a first step. Whether you are growing microgreens, cultivating mushrooms, creating terrariums, or planting trees, every small action contributes to a greener, more sustainable future for our next generation. 

If you have found these tips useful, you can also join our Facebook and Instagram Giveaway and be one of 10 lucky winners to take home a $30 eCapitaVoucher and a Geneco Green Starter Kit  (worth $40) that consists of a foldable umbrella, collapsible water bottle, reusable straw, and grocery net bag.

Simply answer the question in our comments section: “Name 1 of the ways featured in our blog that you can sow the seeds of change this Earth Day and beyond”. The contest ends on 30th April 2024. Terms and conditions apply. 

Together, let’s #PowerTheChange and sow the seeds of sustainability for a greener tomorrow.