An Earth Day Message

We celebrate Earth Day 2021! The suggestions that routinely appear, including recycle more and buy LED light bulbs, certainly help build a healthier world. But to really do the job, we need to change more than light bulbs. We need to change the way we think. Here are the top 5 things you can do:

Burn less stuff. This means driving less, turning lights off, and other standard energy-saving strategies. Pull your kids away from the TV and into the great outdoors. Kids who grow up without appreciating nature can grow into adults who don't understand why they should care about it. Planning your summer vacation? As theme parks discuss the potential of reopening, ditch the lines and health risks by visiting national parks instead. Become a life-cycler. Before you buy anything, consider its full life cycle. What's the product made from and where does that stuff come from? How is it manufactured, where is it produced, and what occurs when it is? What happens when you use it? And when it's thrown away? Go local. Expand your definition of "local" to embrace things that are homemade, artisan-produced, used, and borrowed. The idea is to replace our unintentional economic backing of destructive practices, products, and companies with support for local economies, communities, and individuals even if they aren't next door. Start sharing eco info. Yes, environmentalism is infectious. So tell everyone what you're doing and why. Tell your family, friends, neighbors, newspapers, and elected officials. Be friendly and compassionate, not pushy or selfrighteous, and share the inspiration with a smile.