It's no secret that our earth is in a dire state of affairs. As inhabitants of this fine planet, it's our job to leave it as close to how we found it as possible. Of course, there's going to be the extra sky scraper or parking lot.. But we need to start replenishing the green. After all, it didn't start off as a concrete jungle.
SO. What can we do to start on the path to a happy, healthy earth? Glad you asked.
Let's start off easy. Don't Litter.
At home, you throw your garbage into a garbage bin, and your recycling into a recycling bin. Why should your outside rules be any different? I think more people need to start viewing the Earth as their home (even though it is, technically). Why not hold your wrapper for an extra five minutes until you can get yourself to a garbage bin (that are LITERALLY everywhere, btw). And with things that can be recycled.. Don't just toss it into the garbage labelled side when the recycled side is RIGHT NEXT TO IT. It makes everyone's job a lot easier, and the planet a little better. You can also grab some friends and find a clean up initiative in your local community! Let's all work together to take the trash out.
Plant some stuff.
At this rate, our planet is going to look a lot like Thneedville in some parts of the world. I don't want to have to explain to beauty of LIVE TREES to my children. Also, they make the stuff we breathe in, ya know? so WHY would we want to remove the source of something that KEEPS US (and the environment) ALIVE. Now let's be real, I live in a house, on a lot, that used to be filled with trees. I get it, I don't live in a tree house (as much as I'd love to). What we need to start doing, however, is creating a lot more green spaces in the city. Your house may take up space, yes, but we have front and back yards, and parks! Some awesome city buildings are now planting "forests" on their rooftops to OFFSET their carbon footprint. HOW COOL IS THAT. You get the best of both worlds, and I'm all for it. It's all about the offset, people. Again, grab some friends and find a planting initiative (especially around Earth Day) that goes to local parks and plants a ton of trees!
Renewable Resources
OK, Scientists have been saying for the past LIFETIME that renewable energy is readily available - anytime the human race is ready to shift over, we're good to go. OBVIOUSLY due to political and economical factors, this unfortunately isn't going to happen on a global scale any time soon (even though my fingers are tightly crossed).
BUT, just because big super powers of the world aren't ready to change the world, doesn't mean you can't. The house opposite mine has installed solar panels on their roof. EASY WAY to cut down energy costs, and harness the NATURAL POWER OF THE SUN. The sun is just chillin up there, shining down on us anyway. We might as well use what we have instead of digging out the Earth for energy, amirite?! Although solar panels can cost anywhere from $20K-$40K, some places (like the province of Ontario) offer returns under incentive programs. So, check it out!
Even though big super power countries aren't listening to the dire cries of scientists, citizens, and the Earth itself, there are a ton of countries whose renewable energy percentages are astounding! Iceland, Costa Rica, and Norway are just some of the plenty countries that have harnessed the power of nature to fuel their lifestyles. GOOD ON YOU GUYS!
Conscientious Food
There are vegetarians, and meat-eaters. This isn't a debate on which is better. Despite what health benefits come with each, there is a detrimental effect that the food industry is having on the environment. Two BIG problems I have with meat industries is over-fishing, and animal cruelty. Of course, animals are going to be killed if someone is eating them. That doesn't mean it needs to be brutal and inhumane. In our oceans, over fishing is wiping them clean and disrupting delicate marine ecosystems. Conscientious eating entails knowing where your food comes from, and the impact it has on the environment.
These are just some of the MANY ways we can all work together to restore this beautiful planet to it's natural state. It's imperative that we remember one thing: We live on the planet, we don't OWN it. We're here to live among everything else on the Earth. The flora, the fauna, and everything in between. Humans are NOT the most important. Everything on the planet has a place, and an importance.
"UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."
- The Lorax
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