Happy Earth Day Today with Top Ten Actions!
Posted: April 22nd, 2010 | Filed under: Charity 2.0 | Tags: Earth Day, Happy EArth Day, Portable ECG Machine, Portable EKG Machine, Portable HEart Rate Monitor |
Top 10 actions
Earth Day Canada president Jed Goldberg has identified his top 10 actions to make every day Earth Day.
1. Think before you act. Shopping has become a form of entertainment. While it can be difficult to avoid the seduction of advertising, Goldberg advises to think about what you need, not what you want, before you buy.
2. It’s all about conservation. Goldberg says we need to make the shift from being “consumers” to “prosumers” – producing consumers – to conserve energy and resources. Planting a garden is a great way to start.
3. Go vegetarian one day a week. Meat production has a huge environmental impact. Eating lower on the food chain just one day a week helps to conserve water, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and preserve valuable farmland.
4. Rethink convenience. Goldberg says people do things because they perceive that it’s easier, but easy isn’t always what’s best. Doing things in an environmentally responsible way can ultimately end up being more convenient and much cheaper, too! One example, stop buying bottled water and use tap water instead.
5. Eat and shop locally. Most of our food travels thousands of kilometres to get to our dinner plates. Ditto for our clothing and other consumers goods. Supporting local businesses also helps to build strong local communities.
6. Vote with your dollar. Advertisers and producers are conscious of what consumers want says Goldberg. Take the time to express your opinion to store owners with your wallet and your voice.
7. Use active transportation. Whether it’s walking, cycling or rollerblading, when you use your body to get from A to B instead of a motorized vehicle, you not only get the benefit of improved fitness while reducing your environmental impact, but you get to experience your community.
8. Borrow, don’t buy. Consider renting, borrowing or sharing what you need.
9. Refashion your yard. Instead of trying to achieve the perfect, lawn, why not get rid of the lawn altogether. Plant native shrubs, wildflowers or a vegetable garden. You’ll use fewer resources and free yourself from the lawnmower, too!
10. Use your sphere of influence. Collectively we have a great influence over our politicians, says Goldberg. Engage your family, friends, coworkers and community.
Leave a Reply