Your actions alone cant save the planetbut these habits can help
2020-03-25
When Earths woes come in large numbers10,000 microplastic particles per liter of Arctic sea ice, 30,000 species at risk of extinctionwe may doubt the power of this small number: one. As in, one person, ready to help.
Its true that individual acts alone cant cure what ails the planet. But each one of us can find ways to contribute to the solutionsin our homes, our neighborhoods, and the wider world.
In the home
Become an eco-friendly pet owner: Be careful how you use flea and tick products containing pesticides. Avoid cat litter made of materials obtained by strip-mining.
Minimize food waste: Use a digital meal planner to calculate ingredients and portions so virtually everything you buy and cook gets eaten. Learn how to store foods to prolong their usability.
Keep food scraps and waste out of landfills by composting.
Be sure to properly insulate your home and replace old, drafty windows with energy-efficient ones.
At the store
Green your coffee habit. Get a reusable filter pod for your single-use coffee machineand fill it with certified bird friendly coffee grown in a habitat that also nurtures birds.
Be choosy when buying home tissue. Know which products are made of virgin wood pulp, which contribute to destruction of forests. Instead of buying paper towels and paper napkins, use cloth towels, napkins, and rags when possible.
Consider dropping meat from a few meals, or completely.
In the neighborhood
Help keep your communitys vegetation healthy by organizing tree-planting projects or pruning and weeding outings to eliminate invasive plants.
Plant pollinator gardens.
With help from local water and conservation officials, arrange a cleanup of a creek or other waterway in your community.
As a citizen
Know the requirements for testifying at hearings or submitting written comment when federal agencies are seeking public input on an action or rule under consideration.
nationalgeographic.com, 25 March 2020
; https://www.nationalgeographic.com