Valentine’s Day is a wonderful time to show love to your special someone and to our planet. By making thoughtful choices, we can celebrate the day in a way that’s kind to the environment, say GAP staff.
See below for our tips for a Greener St. Valentine’s Day. The tips are aimed at ‘showing love to the Earth’ on the day we are all invited to show affection for others.
At GAP we specialise in helping people discover the power of small changes in habits and lifestyle choices. Our Valentine’s Day tips also emphasise the importance of manageable, but meaningful, alternatives.
The tips from our own staff members include suggestions to change transport for a day, go vegetarian or to gift experiences rather than material goods.
Here are some of their practical, eco-friendly ideas for a memorable Valentine’s Day:
1. Choose Experiences Over Stuff
“For me, Valentine’s Day is about spending quality time with those we love most. My partner and I find that the simplest things are what we value above all else. We get great satisfaction from taking a leisurely stroll together along a nature trail or a beach. These moments are what we really look forward to and cherish.”
Instead of buying gifts, GAP staff suggest planning activities you can enjoy together. Whether it’s cooking a meal, going for a long walk, visiting GAP’s community gardens, or attending a local event, these shared moments create lasting memories.
“A handwritten love letter on Valentine’s Day means a thousand times more to me than any material gift. It shows that my partner has taken the time, put in thought, and shared their feelings with me. I don’t believe in the consumer-driven gifting on this day – because, in the end, this day shouldn’t be about presents, but about truly expressing how much someone means to you.”
2. Ditch the car
GAP staff are asking people to consider walking, cycling or using public transport for their Valentine’s plans. It’s a great way to reduce carbon emissions and enjoy each other’s company during the journey.
“More and more people are discovering that sustainable modes of transport are good for your health as well as the environment, not to mention that they save you money. As people choose bikes or buses, they remove thousands of cars from the roads, making the streets quieter, safer and more livable; a more romantic setting for your Valentine’s walk.”
3. Eat Plants
GAP staff suggest that Valentine’s Day is a good moment to opt for a plant-based meal. A vegetarian diet is healthier, and has a smaller carbon footprint than eating meat-based dishes. GAP staff point out that, if everyone in the EU cut their consumption of meat, dairy and eggs in half, we would see a 40% decrease in the emissions of the harmful gases that cause the chaotic extreme weather that is affecting people everywhere.
And vegetarian meals can be just as romantic:
“On Valentine’s Day, we wind down with a lovely meal that we both cook together, which for us symbolises the love we both share for one another. Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be about lavish expenditure, but rather should be a day where spending quality time together in harmony is the real essence of the day.”
4. Give a Living Gift
GAP staff suggest that gifting a potted plant on Valentine’s Day offers a lasting symbol of your affection, as the plant continues to grow and thrive over time. Unlike cut flowers that fade quickly, potted plants serve as a continual reminder of your relationship, and contribute to a greener environment.
“I like to bring home a beautiful potted plant for my partner. They last much longer than cut flowers, which I feel is a better symbol for the day.”
5. Use Reusables
GAP staff are inviting people to try and bring their own reusable cups to their favourite coffee shops. Many places offer discounts for this, and it helps reduce waste from disposable cups.
“Almost 200 million coffee cups are disposed of in Ireland every year – that’s the equivalent of 22,000 coffee cups every hour! Many of these cannot be recycled and end up in landfills, or even on our grasslands, roads and waterways. More and more cafés are offering a discount on your coffee when you bring your own cup. Why not ask your local café and ask if they offer this initiative?”
6. Donate in Their Name
“Another wonderful thing to do this Valentine’s Day, is to make a donation to an environmental organisation like GAP Ireland. It’s a meaningful way to show you care about our natural world, and to support non-profit organisations that work with communities everywhere.”
By publishing these tips, Global Action Plan staff want to remind the people of Ireland that, however you express your love this Valentine’s Day, taking action and making small changes for the planet will help make our world a more loving place.