An important thing you could do for the earth this week is recycle those plastic bags and plastic wrap, but DO NOT place them in your regular recycling! They need to be recycled at the stores that issued them.
Landfills are full of plastic bags. The best thing is not to take a plastic bag at all, but sometimes they are hard to avoid. Most groceries and big box stores now have places to recycle bags. Ask if you don’t see plastic bag recycling.
The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, was a day set aside to think about creating lifestyles to reduce waste and destruction of our environment.
One of the main messages many of us heard that day was that human life can continue on Earth only if people cooperate with nature. Strides have been made over the past 46 years in cleaning up many rivers and lakes, recycling, protecting natural ecosystems, becoming more aware of hazardous materials, and the list goes on. But we have a long way to go if we are to live in a sustainable way in harmony with nature.
There are things to do and things not to do when it comes to being a good steward of our planet, but one of the best may be to take pleasure in the true beauty of the Earth’s ecosystems and its creatures. Too, take time to learn about some of the plants and animals that share the Earth with us. It’s just about impossible to destroy something you understand and love.
Throughout the year, and especially April 22, with the wonders of spring all around us, we should make a point to get out and observe. Every forest, wetland and prairie remnant is full of spring signs — evidence that our Earth is designed as a place for life, no matter what foolish acts people may commit. Jim Gilbert http://www.startribune.com/appreciating-earth-s-beauty-is-one-way-to-steward/376565231/
This is an argument against Jeff Bridges video. Fish, birds, other wildlife, our oceans and all of us are being harmed by plastic. The below argument is very weak:
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find resources of strength that will endure as long as life lasts” — Rachel Carson
This land is your land, this land is my land! In honor of Earth Day this Friday, April 22, make a resolution to do one thing new for our earth. Pledge to use your reusable water bottle, use reusable shopping bags, turn off lights and electronics, plant native plants and milkweed, and walk more and drive less. It makes a big difference if everyone does just a small part!
“I will try to create more happiness in the world around me”
Thousands of people all around the world are taking action to support the International Day of Happiness.
Let’s create a happier world together
Not everyone, but most of us want to be happy. In 2012 The United Nations declared March 20, the first day of spring, as the International Day of Happiness. So how can you have a happy life?? For some of us it just happens, but for others, it takes some work. I hope you will click on the link below for a little book with suggestions on how to be happy. I am not discounting anyone with troublesome economic problems. Some of those economic problems don’t exist in the world’s 2016 happiest country, Denmark. Read about it here.
Happiness suggestions from Actionforhappiness.org
Do things for others and volunteer your time
Take care of your body, go for a walk, eat fruits and vegetables
Pay attention and live your life mind fully
Learn new things, and lose yourself in something you love
Have goals or things to look forward to
Everything won’t go the way you want, but happy people bounce back and are resilient
Look for what is good and smile
Accept yourself, be comfortable with yourself and who you are
What is organics? Organics recycling includes collecting fruits, vegetables, bones,
Food Scraps Turned Into Compost
meat, breads, eggshells, non-recyclable and food-soiled paper, and more for composting. The new organics recycling program is an easy way for residents to reduce waste. The trucks haul this waste to the compost site where it is turned and heated and it turns into valuable compost to be used for gardening.
Please come to the event below to learn about Minneapolis’s new program and how to participate in this great program!
The Tangletown and Lynnhurst Neighborhood Associations are co-hosting a celebration of Minneapolis’ new organics recycling program on Saturday March 19th from 10am-1pm at the Lynnhurst Community Center (1345 W Minnehaha Parkway). Enjoy free pizza, games, children’s activities, and demonstrations. Stop by briefly or stay to catch a workshop at 10:30am or 11:45am.
Get your questions answered, sign up to be a volunteer Compost Captain, and enter to win a door prize. The first 200 attendees can also pick up free compostable bags. More info (and RSVP) at https://www.facebook.com/events/550666345107610/ Hope to see you there!
“A new study published in the Journal of Industrial Ecology shows that the stuff we
Do we need all the things we buy?
consume—from food to knick-knacks—is responsible for up to 60 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and between 50 and 80 percent of total land, material, and water use” From Audubon and Grist.org
This post is a follow-up to two of my earlier posts. Every time we make purchases we need to weigh what the impact is to the earth. Purchasing high quality items that will last, fixing broken things, bundling our errands, and becoming climatarians are a few easy things to start with.
“Some of us have become “anti-consumers”. Think 3 times before you purchase. Is it necessary? Can I get it second hand? Can I make it myself or just do without? #VoluntarySimplicity may be our only hope.”
The 2016 theme for International Women’s Day is “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality”.
International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities. Women still have high hurdles and a long way to go.
An interesting article below about, Annie Griffiths, a National Geographic photographer: “Early in her career as a globe-trotting photographer for National Geographic, Annie Griffiths witnessed the profound impact of climate change on women and girls in developing countries. They were the ones who went in search of water. They nursed the sick as diseases spread. And when climate disasters hit, it was the women who stayed behind to see their children and parents to safety, often at their own peril.” http://www.startribune.com
Can you go plastic bag-free this week?
Health4earth 