Happy Earth Day friends!
I know we’re in the middle of a viral pandemic now, but if it’s taught us one thing, it’s that we should be pro-active. If you think it is difficult to adjust and cope with COVID-19, imagine how much worse it will be with climate change, which likely will be the next major challenge we face.
With everyone stuck indoors, there’s been a discernible drop in air pollution around the world. It’s been reported that for the first time in 30 years, the Himalayas are visible in Northern India. But it’s not just India that air quality has improved. Major cities worldwide reported a huge reduction in air pollution. The pre-quarantine and quarantine pictures are quite striking. There’s no denying that everyday human activity massively affects climate change.
So how can we help?
- Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
- Don’t be wasteful.
- Plant trees.
- Don’t litter.
- Pick up trash.
- Go meatless. I’m not advocating veganism for everyone. Although if you can do it, great! If not, try going meatless a couple days a week. Or one day a week. Or even a meal a week would make a difference.
- Choose to eat sustainable, whether it’s plants or animals.
- Reduce single-use plastic.
- Ditch the straw. Even if you don’t care about the sea turtles or the environment, be vain and prevent smoker’s lines.
- Use reusable water bottles.
- Use reusable shopping bags.
- Unplug things that are not in use.
- Turn off the lights when you leave the room. You wouldn’t like if it if someone turned you on and just left, right?
- Turn off the tap when washing your hands, doing the dishes, brushing your teeth, etc.
- Take shorter showers.
- Hang dry your clothes instead of using the dryer.
- Wash your clothes in cold water.
- Walk more. Bike. Carpool. Take public transportation.
- Buy locally to reduce your produce’s carbon footprint. Also, buy produce that’s in season.
- Buy green products.
- Support green companies.
- Shop thrift stores.
- Cut down on fast fashion and even fashion in general.
I’ll be honest, the fashion one is the most difficult one for me. But it’s been a goal of mine for a while now. If you haven’t seen it yet, watch Hasan Minhaj’s Patriot Act fast fashion episode. Or read more about it from the New York Times or Business Insider.
I’m not saying we need to be perfect eco-warriors. Do what you can. Every little bit counts. It would be a far bigger mistake to do nothing, thinking that your contribution wouldn’t amount to anything. Like Anne Marie Bonneau once said “we don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions doing it imperfectly.”
Let’s do what we can to protect our planet. Cause after all, as cliché as it may be, there is no Plant B.
xx
