Jeanette Bronee asked:
Isn’t it about time that caring about what sustains us is part of our daily awareness and lifestyle, and becomes a constant practice like brushing our teeth?
Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Profit before survival seems to be more important. Short-term perspective comes before long-term, and our interaction with the planet that takes care of us every day isn’t something that comes naturally to us.
I’m talking about Mother Earth. Earth Day has come and gone; are we still keeping Her in mind?
How can we take something this essential to our existence for granted? Luckily, going green is the buzz phrase these days. Finally, it’s fashionable to be earth friendly. When our appearance is more important than our values, we lose the aspect of being human and the ability to interact instead of using. The ability to see ourselves as a part of a relationship that is an expression of who we are, rather than what we would like to be perceived as, is lost.
Nine Easy Actions to Keep Mother Earth Healthy
The obvious one is recycling, which seems so basic that it should be second nature, but it isn’t. Please go out of your way to recycle and if possible, compost.
Choose products from recycled materials over those that aren’t. For example, spend a little more money on quality clothes that last longer, then save those items until they come back into fashion. Or give it to those who need it when you don’t. Some companies are also introducing eco-fashion, even big-name brands like Levi.
Carry your own bag instead of getting one from the grocery store. There are a lot of little foldable ones on the market these days that fit nicely into your handbag.
Choose non-toxic products. This is better for your health and the environment.
Eat in a way the helps sustain the earth rather than exploiting it. Consider buying locally or purchasing food from your neighborhood’s farmers market.
Buy produce and food in its whole form so little or no packaging is needed.
Get a water filter and refill a water bottle instead of buying more plastic ones.
Get your newspaper online. And don’t print documents unless you need to.
Save energy. Turn off lights, don’t wash dishes under running water, only use the air conditioner if really needed, and use rechargeable batteries.
Product Tips and Food Choices
Choose Organic Foods
Eating organic food is healthier for you and for the environment as it omits the pesticides and toxic fertilizers. It also helps sustain smaller farmers, instead of factory farms, which leads to less pollution.
Factory farms pollute more and contribute to global warming. Apart from the fact that they treat animals inhumanely, the meat from these animals is harmful to your health. Choose sustainable farmed food, adapt a food-style high in vegetables, and when eating meat and eggs, choose from free-range, non-antibiotic, and non growth-hormone animals.
Choose fish from non-toxic farming resources or from the wild.
Shop and eat in appropriate proportions, cook with care, and don’t waste it. This does not mean eat everything on your plate, that doesn’t help the environment either. Overconsumption causes disease and therefore more waste with the need of medicine and hospitals, not to mention, you suffer. Instead, ask in advance to omit foods from the dish that you already know you are not going to eat anyway. Bring leftovers home with you for lunch, or give it to someone hungry in the street.
Go Wasteless and Choose Natural, Non-Toxic Products
Try to buy non-toxic household cleaners, unbleached toilet-paper, and paper-towels. You don’t have to breathe in the fumes or have toxic products touch your skin. It also causes less pollution to manufacture these products. Products from Seventh Generation, EarthWise, BioKleen, and Ecover are all good options.
Use recycled paper at the office and omit the throw-away pen.
Store your food in glass containers that last longer, especially if you use a microwave (not recommended) to heat your food. Plastic breaks down over time and is also unhealthy for you as it leaks into the food when heated.
Buy microfiber cleaning cloths that are washable, reusable, and trap the dirt and spills better than using tons of paper towels.
Buy larger containers of dish soap and pour into smaller containers as you need it, instead of many small bottles.
Wash and dry out your Ziploc bags. Hang it on a chopstick in a glass to dry.
Buy products that come in glass containers with lids that ***** on so you can use them for storage later.
Take off your shoes indoors means less cleaning, less use of energy, and less toxins in your home.
Choose airlines with the newest fleet when traveling. They use less fuel.
There are many things you can do to green your life, every day of the year, not just on Earth Day. All it takes is a conscious mind and a willingness to take care of our planet with everyday choices.
“Achieving genuine happiness may require bringing about a transformation in your outlook, your way of thinking, and this is not a simple matter.” The 14th Dalai Lama
HUMBERTO