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Earth Day |
by Allison Ritto
April 22nd is Earth Day. What does that even mean to us anymore?
It seems like we hear about the climate crisis, carbon emissions, sustainability, and all those green buzz words every day now. So is there a point to devoting one day to being environmental anymore?
As a kid I remember planting a tree with my parents on Earth Day. Years later I went to a benefit concert, and once during my time as a Starbucks barista my store cleaned up an Orange County beach. Those are all great activities, but mostly we would pat ourselves on the back then return to our regular lives until the next 4-22.
So go ahead: protest clear-cutting or find a local event this year. I'm not saying it won't help. But sporting a "My Other Car is a Bicycle" bumper sticker or joining an anti-climate change Facebook group won't do much but make you feel better.
The truth is, it's the small things that will impact our planet every day, rather than just a day raising "awareness." But the sad fact is that awareness of what actually matters, (reducing our consumption), is clouded out by the sturm and drang of the news media. Did you know that a Google search uses as much energy as boiling a tea kettle? Well, it actually does not, but the rumor spread around the web like arson fire at a Hummer dealership. What if the planet tries to kill us, and our only hope is Mark Walhberg? It could happen!
There is a great deal of misinformation, fear-mongering, and greenwashing going on out there. It is frustrating to the point of giving up and hoping someone else will fix the problem for us. But really, there are two things you can do today and every day, not just on April 22.
Use less water.
This one varies from simple (low-flow toilets and fixtures) to downright icky (composting toilet, anyone?). Daily habits, even what we eat or drink, changes the impact we have on the world around us. Check out this handy chart!
Buy less crap.
Everything you buy will one day end up in a landfill unless you plan ahead. Plastic is cheap. Cheap stuff breaks. Most of us are too lazy to recycle more than bottles, cans, and newspapers. If you start thinking about the life span of that cheap laminate furniture versus the more expensive, sustainably harvested wood furniture, you can save money by keeping things longer. If you really want to lessen the impact of what you buy, research a "Cradle to Cradle" manufacturer. They list products that are designed to be recycled or repurposed rather than thrown away.
This list could continue; I'm really just hitting the tip of the rapidly melting iceberg. Now, get off the computer, stop using electricity, and go plant a freakin' tree or something.
Allison Ritto is the editor of the Lifestyle section.
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