Creating ripples
As a little girl, I loved floating on my back and bobbing away in the warm(ish) shallows of a Mornington Peninsula beach.
Every so often a few big waves would roll in and wash over me.
The wake of a ship steaming past, miles off shore.
There was no warning.
But its impact could be clearly felt a long time after it had sped past.
Similarly, we create ripples with our activity yet are (mostly) oblivious to how we impact other people and our planet.
It was World Environment Day on Saturday. A day to check in and remember the importance of the environment and acknowledge the significant threats human activity poses to it everyday.
Are you conscious of how the lifestyle choices you make have an effect on Mother Nature. And ultimately you too. How we treat the environment ultimately reflects back on us.
What kind of waves are you creating? Are they harmlessly lapping the shore, or are they destructive and destroy the beach? Do they leave a light footprint, nourish your body, and promote wellbeing?
Here are some actions that you can take:
Choose foods straight from the paddock. Avoid foods that have been processed. Be wary of anything that comes in a package!
Buy seasonal and local produce to reduce the energy wasted in transporting items from afar.
Use reusable bags. When shopping, particularly for fruit and vegetables use paper bags if they’re available, and bring your own reusable string or calico produce bags. I reuse paper bags multiple times before they need to be recycled.
Go to a Farmer's Market, Fruit and Veg Grocer, or choose loose items at the supermarket. There's no need for your fruit and veg to be pre-packaged! If you do take a plastic bag, reuse it multiple times before recycling it. Soft plastics can be taken into Woolworths and Coles for recycling - https://www.redcycle.net.au/ .
Eat one plant based meal a day. This is a great way to take action to reduce your meat consumption, without needing to eliminate it altogether and become vegan/vegetarian. There's a movement created by Susy Amis Cameron called One Meal a Day for the Planet that encourages you to look after your body and the planet by changing your diet to include one vegan/plant-based meal each day.
If you can't imagine life without meat, consume meat that has less impact on the environment. This brilliant TEDx talk by Climatarian, Mark Pershin, illustrates how adjusting your diet, even by choosing a chicken burger rather than a steak sandwich, can make a difference.
Use natural, chemical-free cleaning products. There are plenty of natural products and chemical-free alternatives you can try and that work just as well. I use essential oils (eg a couple of drops of Eucalyptus oil and hot water to clean the floor), make my own cleaning products, or use genuine Eco-brands (beware of greenwashing in supermarket products!).
Check out Under Your Sink for cleaning product recipes. I've found this Washing Detergent to be effective and super easy to make too.
Buy recycled printing paper, toilet paper, and paper towel. If you haven’t heard of ‘Who Gives A Crap’, try their products. They're great and you don't have to worry about running out!
Turn off lights and electronic equipment when they're not in use.
When you can, walk, ride, car pool, or catch public transport.
Use reusable packaging. Store food in containers rather than using single-use bags and cling-wrap. Cover bowls with plates or beeswax wraps. Check out Seed & Sprout for plastic-free storage options
Avoid products with excessive packaging. Buy in bulk or choose items that have recyclable packaging.
Arrange for Green Power through your power retailer. We moved to Powershopbecause they came highly recommended and they haven't disappointed. Super easy app to use too.
Where possible wear second-hand, or ethically and sustainably produced clothing. Instead of throwing out items in good condition, pass them onto friends or family, host a clothes swap or donate them to a charity. Clothes that are damaged can be cut up into rags and used for cleaning or to mop up spills instead of paper towel.
Fix broken items rather than throwing them away and replacing them with new ones. If you do have electrical waste, recycle it. There are some amazing resources on recycling that are available online. This one called Recycling Near You by PlanetArk is one example.
When getting a take-away coffee, bring your own cup such as a Keep Cup.
If you are already doing most of these, Mother Earth is thanking you.
If not, are there any on this list you could take on today? Or weave into your routine and make the new normal?
You do create a ripple effect.
