Today is Earth Day, what contribution can we make to a healthier planet? The term “going green” can be taking small daily steps to reduce pollution; toxins in the home, amount of garbage we throw out daily, recycling and driving less.
Some suggestions are:
• Recycle everything! By having a compost you are reducing your wet garbage and creating a wonderful bed of future nutrients (natural fertilizer) for your garden. You can recycle paper (get a shredder for privacy protection) plus all cereal, kleenex or any cardboard, plastic containers ( No.2), paper, cans, glass, bottles, etc. Your weekly garbage can be cut in half by doing the above! Imagine the reduction of garbage in our landfills if we all did this?
• Switch to non-toxic, biodegradable and highly concentrated household products. Did you know you could wash your windows with a spray bottle filled with water and only two drops of an organic cleaner and still get the same results as a bottle of commercial window cleaner? No toxins left behind in your air, and then you can recycle the same bottle by re-filling it. By using a concentrated liquid laundry cleaner you can reduce the number of bottle you throw out by 80 per cent!
• Change your light bulbs to fluorescent coil style to reduce energy consumption.
• Walk or ride your bike to work or for errands: save wear and tear on your car, get exercise and reduce pollution.
• Pick up garbage whenever you see it and teach your children to do the same, volunteer to do a neighbourhood clean-up as a cleaner planet is a healthier planet.
• Educate yourself about global warming and its impact and teach your children (or rather let your children or grandchildren teach you). Use your voice to support local environmental concerns; don’t be the one that says, “there is nothing I can do.”
If we silently sit back and do nothing, many of our grasslands and trees may be lost to future developments. Keep others accountable for their actions that may damage the environment — many town councils and developers are working together to create a more earth-friendly solution for future projects. Let’s make sure we have a voice to support saving our planet.
• Plant trees, shrubs and flowers — many communities have Community in Bloom projects that would support beautifying local parks and school grounds
We can all make a difference in the health of our planet by making simple daily choices to “go green.”
Watch for an outdoor Eco Wellness Fair at Bower Ponds on Sunday, June 14 from 1-4 p.m. for various earth-friendly displays of products and services, natural healing methods, fitness demos, and a 5km run/walk.
Lacombe freelance columnist Judy Holt is a wellness consultant author of 1 Potato, 2 Potato, Couch Potato to You. Contact: jhlifestyles@yahoo.com