We read and hear a lot of different stories about the environment. The headlines often refer to the tipping point, climate change events, and how the governments around the world are not doing enough. It is overwhelming at times for us (the average resident of mother earth), to wrap our heads around and it makes us wonder what we can possibly do.
It turns out that there are many things that we can do. Actions that do make a difference. Here are a few of the ways that we can change to help our planet and our communities.
THE 5 Rs – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Return to Earth (compost)
Decide to use your own containers for bulk sold items and ditch the plastic water bottles. Buy a reusable water container and fill from your tap. Millions of these plastic bottles get tossed out every hour. Using a reusable bottle saves you money and helps the planet.
Give old household items and clothes a second life. Donate what you do not want and repurpose items that may still have much to offer. Make a dresser into a bench, an old desk into a vanity, or surf the internet to find your perfect remake. Don’t have the time or interest in upcycling your stuff? Have a yard sale!
Make a grocery list so that you do not buy more than you need. Each year we toss out billions of pounds of food (about 40 percent of the food supply).
Educate yourself on the sell-by vs. use-by dates for food. It may be best by April 10th, but still just fine on the 20th, just less flavour or quality. If you do have to throw out food, remember to compost! Not only will you reduce what you send to the dump, you’ll get nutrient rich soil for your garden.
Use rags/sponges to clean up, or if you just really can’t give up the paper convenience, at least use recycled products.
Change your transportation attitude. Could you bike or walk to your destination? Perhaps you could take local transit or share driving to work with a co-worker.
Volunteer for cleanups in your community or start one of your own by picking up garbage when you are out for a walk.
Plant a tree.
These are just a few of the changes you can make to be more eco-friendly or as I will think of you… an Environmental Warrior.
It is a war we all need to fight together.