Earth Day has always been significant, as it increases awareness of how our actions can be modified to positively influence the Earth. One day, of course, it is not enough. Our efforts and our ideas on how our actions affect the planet must be part of our daily lives. We see this now, with the most clearly focused lens. As a global population, we are experiencing the way our habits, choices and policies are interconnected. We are at a critical juncture in the prosperity and continuing existence of our planet. How can we move on, do more, be better and start a global shift? Let’s celebrate Earth Day and then continue!
What happens during the other 364 days? We have to count everything. I appreciate that many of us spend more than one day trying to help the environment. As a collective, there are so many great things we can do – small efforts with a big, cumulative impact.
My books focus on consumption and life. The planet is part of it. There is a chapter called “there is no far”, where I talk about the waste we do without considering it as a factor in our daily lives-and assuming that when we throw it away it magically disappears. I also wrote recently about the trash we all do and the myth of recycling.
We create a lot of waste
Here in North America, We create the highest amount of waste in the world: About 2.2 kg per person per day, which is almost twice the second higher region (Europe and South Asia), with an average of 1.18 kg per person daily. We waste food, plastic, paper, technology, children’s toys, personal care products, furniture, home cleaning products and much more. So many of what we buy is not reused or recycled: it simply ends up as waste. We tried To send our trash to foreign countrieswho have pushed back and refused to accept them in recent years.
You can find out more about the trash we create here.
Some shocking statistics
In my first book, Undiet, I share the following shocking statistics:
Many of the garbage we make come in three very much avoided forms: paper, plastic and food. The United States is wasting the largest food, which has an environmental impact in the world. According to a report by the US Environmental Protection Service, the United States is creating over 34 million tonnes of food waste each year. Saint Shmizer! In Canada, it is estimated that food worth $ 27 billion end up in landfills each year. According to the World Vision Canada, the inhabitants of the city of Toronto only launch 16.5 million pounds (7.5 million pounds) of food each month.
Food waste is over 14 % of total municipal solid waste. Even more shameful is that less than 3 % of the 34 million tonnes of food waste created in 2009 were recycled and recycled. This means that 33 million tonnes were transferred to the place we call “away”. Food waste now represents the only larger element of municipal landfills and incinerators in the United States. After closely, for your interest, there are egg waste (which could be reduced if we all planted edible gardens) and plastic. In the average American home, every week 12 percent of meat, 16 % of the grains and almost a quarter of fruits and vegetables are launched. The cost of this average is over $ 43 billion of dollars of food waste annually. As if it weren’t bad enough, 18 % of the vegetables cultivated, they don’t even get to the stores before they lose.
What about companies?
In this position, the goal is to share all the individual ways in which we can celebrate Earth Day all year long and take significant actions to support environmental sustainability. However, it is also important to emphasize the impact of large companies as huge pollution and their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
These statistics only scratch the surface of companies as agents of climate change and the importance of corporate responsibility. We all have to work together – and keep these big companies responsible for their actions.
How to celebrate Earth Day every day
There are many ways in which you can reduce your impact, improve your health and do something for Earth 365 days a year!
Reduce or eliminate packaged food
Many of our waste comes from food packaging, especially plastic and paper – and that the packaging cannot always be recycled. Also, many of these packaged foods are not as healthy as we think. The goal for a low waste diet style, where you make the most of the fresh ingredients. Housing such as walnut or seed milk, granola, cereals, sourdough bread, bone broth and others can easily make at home.
Learn more about cooking without packages in my online lesson, Daily gastronomic diet.
Cook food from zero
I recommend buying fresh, local and organic food as much as you can. You will limit the amount of travel that a food needs to get from your farm on the plate, reduce your chemical exposure and you will find your flavors better. Read about the first 10 questions to ask your farmer on the market and find out what to look for in natural meat and sustainable fish.
Buy bulk where possible
Sometimes buying ingredients in packages is difficult to avoid, especially if there is no store near you where you can bring your own containers. For these items-such as nuts, seeds, flour, beans, legumes, chocolate chips without dairy products, walnuts, gluten-free granules, etc.-Try to buy the largest size package. You will end up with fewer packaging waste and more financial savings.
Prevent food waste
As I mentioned in Intact Excerpt above, we lose a lot of food. Food waste is a huge problem that costs us money, drives food prices and exhausts environmental resources such as water and land. These tips will help you reduce your food waste – plus, learn how to properly save food to last.
Store food without plastic
When we start cooking from scratch, it is common to buy plastic containers, plastic wrapper and plastic bags to store the products. Learn how to cut these kitchen consumables here. You don’t have to store your food on plastic – these are my five favorite alternatives.
Compost
Many municipalities across North America now have pickups compost city, which is great! If this is not an option where you live, start composting on your threshold. If you do not have an outdoor space, you can have a worm compost on your balcony.
Try growing your own food
Whether you have a window, a patio, a balcony, a yard or access to a community garden – there are many ways to grow your own food. I have learned a lot about food, earth, environment and position in the ecosystem by increasing my own garden. Not only can you grow delicious, health food, but you can also plant to support the soil, clean the air and attract and support bees and other pollinators.
Travel with prudence
Pollution derived from air travel, car travel and cruise ships is important. I invite you to consider the environmental impacts of your travel plans and how you might make them more green. This includes not only the travel method, but also the way you pack for travel and where you live.
Instead of buying shampooing individual sizes, toothpaste, hair gel, etc., buy a travel kit where you can refill the toiletries (or check your bag and bring full size items). Pack your own food and snacks for the plane. Look to stay in viable hotels or resorts.
Walk, bike or take the transit
The highways where they live are so convened, it may take a long time to get from place to place. The cars just sit on the bumper on the bumper. There are times when a car is the best or only choice, but many use cars as a first solution. Try to walk or the bike, which offers you fresh air and exercise, or get the transit. If you are using a car, see if you can do carpool.
Spend time in nature
There are a number of health benefits to spend time in nature. The more you surround yourself with nature, you will be more inspired to protect it.
Buy/sell second hand
The clothing industry creates a lot of pollution. There are the chemicals used to produce objects, the quick fashion pieces we wear for a season and the trifles that end up in the oceans after washing our clothes. Take my ultimate vintage shopping guide and find out all the tips and tricks to find big second -hand markets.
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Skip the latest version of technology
Do you need a new computer and phone every year or whenever there is a new version of what you have? Do with your current technology until it no longer works the way you need, instead of buying something because it’s new.
Limit online purchases
The electronic shopping is convenient, but it always comes in a package – and sometimes from distant places. If you have to buy online, expect to buy a lot of things at once instead of buying fragments and see if you can get all your items packaged in a package. Also, if you buy from a store near you, see if you can order online to save time, but pick up the details in person. You can also start asking for viable packages from companies.
Value quality in relation to quantity and do with less
The huge amount of waste we often produce comes from our forced need to buy and consume. For the latter, I exercise what I call deliberate simplicity. This means that I am aware of how and where I spend my money, how I spend my time and with whom I spend it. It is not at all for deprivation but for the choice. Discover the minimalist commitments I have made that had a huge impact on my life.
How do you make Earth Day every day at home?
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