Today we kick off Earth Week - the week leading up to Earth Day! Hopefully, this is the week when people around the world take some time to think about and appreciate the planet we live on. Of course we don't simply live on Earth, we eat from it, we mine in it, we drink from it, we breath it's air and we transform it with every step we take.
In the days leading up to Earth Day I try and do little things to show my appreciation for the Earth. I also try and pass this love along to my daughters. So, I imagine that this week we will spend some time outside on long walks, inside making some recycled crafts and learning more about the planet we live on.
A good place to start this week is Earthday.ca the official site for Earth Day in Canada. You can find out information about Earth Day events in your community. What I found most interesting is the challenge they have set out this year. They are calling it "Give it up for Earth Day". This project follows along the lines of lent...what are you willing to commit to giving up for Earth Day? The site suggests 4 main categories...give up toxic cleaners, give up meat, give up television and give up shopping. There is a link where you can register the choice of what you would like to "give up" and for how long.
These 4 categories are suggested because they each have an impact on our environment. We lose so much time to watching television...and a lot of energy is used to power up those fancy television sets. The production of meat is one of the leading contributors to global warming...taking a break from meat consumption is one small step. Leaving toxic cleaners behind is really a "no brainer"...the production and disposal of these cleaners has a major negative impact on, not only your health, but the health of our planet. Finally, taking a break from shopping is all about thinking about our consumption mentality...trade, barter, buy second hand instead.
Well, I can't talk the talk without walking the walk...right. Here is what I have committed myself, and my family to...
not using toxic cleaners for an entire year (really this one is FOREVER)
not buying anything new (except food) for 1 week
eating vegetarian for 1 week
not watching television for 1 week
It might not seem like much...but it's one of those moments when math is required. If our family of 4 does one week without meat and your family does 1 week without meat, and my neighbours family does one week without meat...you get the picture...BIG IMPACT! Now, I won't be fulfilling this commitment this week...it's Easter people! But I'm thinking next week might just work! Head to the site, see what you think you can give up for Earth Day!
aroma says
Great ideas. All the best.