how we protect our planet Related: Summary, Q and A : Ch-8- The Ailin...
WAYS TO PROTECT
1. Pay attention to what you are buying. I understand that we all have a budget, but in today’s world, you also have OPTIONS. Find a happy medium for house-hold goods, and if nothing else, make an effort to purchase goods and clothing that are made in sustainable ways, from companies who are mindful of what they produce and how. Buy paper products made from recycled goods, etc.. Research what kind of things you buy from where and if there are better alternatives that are close in price. It DOES matter. Your choices matter and directly impact the market for these goods. There are even environmentally friendly companies for beer. New Belgium Brewery out of Fort Collins, CO is consistently on the lists of best companies for the environment. Keep these companies afloat AND become a more mindful consumer.
2. Recycle. If you don’t recycle, COME ON. It’s 2014. Don’t blame it on your building or your house or your town. Find a recycling center, get some bins or re-use boxes and RECYCLE everything that you possibly can. There is no excuse not to.
3. Be mindful of what you throw away. Can it be donated? Can it be saved? Recycled? Composted? The dumpster should be the last resort. So much of what we use can be reused, and not just thrown away. Find out what you can do with all of the things you usually throw out to ensure that you are not wasting things that can be saved. Waste doesn’t magically disappear when you throw it out.
4. Become a vegetarian. I know this seems extreme, but it isn’t as hard as you might think. Vegetarians have far fewer health problems than meat-eaters, and live longer lives. Vegetarian athletes have been proven to out-perform their meat-eating competitors, and most of the nutrients our bodies need can be found in their most efficient forms in their non-meat sources. How much pollution and waste is created because of meat farming and production? The short answer: A LOT. And in case you need another reason, most meat production is extremely inhumane. Research ‘ag-gag’ laws if you need convincing. A vegetarian diet is healthier for you, the planet, and kinder to animals that meat production has disconnected you from. Fake meat products are more delicious than ever now, too. I know there are many people who cannot or won’t become vegetarians, but it is worth considering. Even eating less meat will help reduce demand.
5. Volunteer. Give your time, or at least some of your cash to worthy causes. Help clean up areas where you live, walk dogs at your local shelter, or raise some dollars to give to a worthy cause. There are people out there fighting for the planet and its animals. Help them out!
6. Give meaningful gifts. The next time you don’t know what to give someone you love for a gift, consider making a donation in their name. Symbolically adopt their favorite animal for them from WWF, or donate a heifer to a hungry family. If your loved one already has it all, don’t create need for more materials to be produced, and ultimately for something that gets produced to take up space in a landfill.
7. Go paperless. With the fluidity and ease of emails today, there is no need for any of our bills or mail to be in paper form. Most companies are pretty good about rewarding their clients or customers who go paperless, or at least providing the option to go paperless. It’s less piles of paper to have to recycle!
8. Adopt an animal. It’s heartbreaking that there are still people out there buying puppies and kittens, when there are THOUSANDS of dogs and cats who get euthanized daily because they are homeless. Save a life. You will feel the reward paid back to you a thousand fold and give some loving animal a home. *Don’t forget to get that pet spayed or neutered, too!*
9. Get mad. All it takes is a little research to find out the horrifying truths about how little is being done about climate change, pollution, waste, and bad practices. Pick a cause to be mad about, and do something. It’s your planet, too, and nothing will help more than individuals caring about what is going on. Turning a blind eye to species who are becoming extinct, environments being destroyed, and destructive practices staying in place will not fix it; it will expedite the trip to those terrifying and heartbreaking ends. DO something!
10. Get reusable bags for the grocery store. This one is easy. Most grocery stores have them for sale near check out for $1, and lots of events give them out for free. In the UK and Europe, grocery customers are charged for plastic bag use, or not permitted to use them at all. Get reusable bags. Use them.
11. Don’t waste water. Don’t you know it’s better for your hair the less you wash it? Don’t run the dishwasher with nothing in it. Don’t flush the toilet unnecessarily. There are people on the planet with no water to drink, yet we waste water at an alarming rate. Call me a hippy, but if it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s brown, flush it down. Don’t waste gallons of fresh water unnecessarily.
12. Donate your used clothing and furniture. Why throw something away that someone else might want? You never know what just might fit someone else’s bill, especially if they’re in need.