1. Paper or Plastic? Neither!!!! Bring your own bags to reuse over and over. I've several large cotton bags and even a few smaller ones, all washable, in my car. No more needing to tear down trees that we need for Oxygen or the pollution caused by all the plastic. In some countries this is the only way you can bring home something from the store. Or even have your own cardboard boxes if you'd prefer!
2. Energy efficient light bulbs saves a lot of electricity BUT it does much more. Most of the energy in the US still comes from coal burning and that has a huge affect on green house gasses.
3. NO paper napkins in our home "thank you" ... easy to get cotton ones, 4 for under $3 at Walmart. I hadn't realized how many we were going through until we stopped using them all together.
4. Purchase only NON toxic cleaning supplies. They are cheaper $$$$ because much more concintrated as well. Read the labels and descriptions. Impressive ... read about reports of quality.
5. Check the weather striping around doors and even windows. Put a soft rubber piece at the bottom of any door that leaks, example: going out into the garage. We found several areas leaking cold air $$$ and environmental resources slipping out of our home!
6. Purchase wisely. Look for items with as little packaging as possible. Milk cartons and cardboard are better for recycling. Don't know what can be recycled in your area. Contact your garbage service and they will send you information on what is acceptable in your area. That helps you make wiser purchasing decisions. Also buy in Bulk when you can; breaking that down into smaller sizes for your family. We found purchasing meats and grains, flours and beans, for example; then put them into smaller sizes with our seal a meal save a lot of $$$ and environment resources.
7. Time to let go of the 'connivance' of paper plates and cups! Yikes, that took me for a moment until I realized how much damage it was doing and the waisted $$$ --- so --- take a trip to a dollar store for some plastic re washable plates and cups, or a second hand store often has them if you don't mind mismatched colors. Most stores sell plastic plates and such with the paper ones, so you could get the better quality and wash them over and over. We host a lot of gatherings here and it has really been noticed how much we have saved. Also got rid of those handy little bathroom cups, just need to take my time to keep each family members cup clean.
So you can easily see, even these 7 Simple Changes make a Big difference!
Unto 7th Generation
Some say: "The Earth is our Mother; we should take care of her." While others think the Earth is an easy receptacle for our wastes and toxins. How can I, one person or even one family, really make a difference? And is it that important anyway?
We see so much hype on TV and in newspapers on the growing devestation of the earth's environment and the loss of so many species of animals, plants and trees. The oceans are becoming a sewer but when I look around my neighborhood it is so easy to just not see the problem.
So is it hype or is it time to aweaken to the fact that this is the only world we live on and the one we are leaving to our children and grandchildren. I appreciate the teaching of many native people I've been privilaged to work with and study with in different areas of the world. Often they say "unto the 7th generation" when making decisions. In other words .... STOP and consider how this action or non action will affect future generations.
If someone were to come along and dump a load of garbage in your front yard, I'd assume uou'd be a bit miffed yet daily we are dumping and dumping and dumping into the waterways, earth and skies that hold the very elements you and I need for survival.
So let us talk about it and find solutions that we can do to make a difference!
We see so much hype on TV and in newspapers on the growing devestation of the earth's environment and the loss of so many species of animals, plants and trees. The oceans are becoming a sewer but when I look around my neighborhood it is so easy to just not see the problem.
So is it hype or is it time to aweaken to the fact that this is the only world we live on and the one we are leaving to our children and grandchildren. I appreciate the teaching of many native people I've been privilaged to work with and study with in different areas of the world. Often they say "unto the 7th generation" when making decisions. In other words .... STOP and consider how this action or non action will affect future generations.
If someone were to come along and dump a load of garbage in your front yard, I'd assume uou'd be a bit miffed yet daily we are dumping and dumping and dumping into the waterways, earth and skies that hold the very elements you and I need for survival.
So let us talk about it and find solutions that we can do to make a difference!
Monday, January 28, 2008
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