Forget Plastic Straws-Practical Ways that Actually DO Make a Difference for the Environment by Noelle Hanek
What is currently happening here is truly devastating. However, in this blog I hope we can switch gears from all of this negativity and focus on something else... about the Earth. The other day was Earth day! As we all know, everyone has been staying in their homes(hopefully) to stay safe from the virus. As a result, there have been multiple positive signs reported that the environment has been benefiting from our absence:
1.) First off there has been significantly less pollution as a result of less transportation relying on petroleum fuel, and less industrial activity recorded. This provides cleaner rivers, cleaner air, and an overall cleaner environment for the organisms, which will prevent them from getting sick and dying. This is overall better for the Earth as well because it helps fight the climate change issue, and may also provide healthier ecosystems.
2.) Green house gases have also been lowering. Studies have found carbon dioxide emissions have lowered greatly in 2020. This is because the world and economics are operating on a much slower scale.
These are both two positive things that benefit the well being of the planet. This is important because by removing us from the picture, it shows how much of an effect we really do have on the environment.
However this will not save our planet alone, not at all. The only way to save the planet is if each individual plays their part in the community. It is important for us ALL to work and do our part. I am no expert, but by just eliminating plastic straws to "save the turtles" is simply not enough. In the name of Earth day, I listed what we can currently do now that will help the environment that are actually practical to do without needing to purchase expensive solar units for your house or living without electricity like its the paleolithic times.
a.) Reduce meat/dairy consumption- People don't talk about this very much but it is a HUGE deal. For instance, one beef burger uses more water than two month's worth of showers! (1,799 gallons!) it also uses green house gas emissions, takes up tons of land, and contributes to deforstation and much more. Other meats and dairy products don't fall far behind. Giving up these foods is difficult for many people and I understand. You do not need to go veg to make a difference, but instead, swap out a beef burger for chicken(which is not as bad) one day, or even better, a plant based meal. You could also follow the meatless Monday rule! Reducing your consumption of these foods the best you can, even if its just a little, is one of the best things you can do for the Earth. Another idea might be to buy from a local NJ farm and not a mass factory farm from the grocery store.
Learn more:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/eat-less-meat-environmental-effect_l_5d39d84fe4b020cd99501f2d?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACbBqTnr4ORLv_21DqEcPKe8w4SiejXqubORb9pW0OU6ynVX1dhw1VUOyRK1zC13Y7HHP5WhS9bPEIRMXH4uWQxRtu4JOLXLJcnK-8HVT4ooaC7cj4MSs-_SeX7O5Tm5DQe-Nev2qSCJyL7CYA8O3lHizKmE4g8bQAaFqrkd9OM5
b.) Avoid products with palm oil, think of those poor orangutans! It is important to read food labels, because many times you end up buying something that contains harmful ingredients such as palm oil, that you don't need to buy. The production of palm oil has caused massive deforestation, soil degradation, habitat degradation, and more issues unfortunately. In many instances, the same exact foods are available, but some without the use of bad palm oil!
Learn More:
https://academy.plantbasednews.org/blog/palm-oil-vegan
c.) Reuse what you can- we all know how bad plastic is for the Earth. Using silverware instead of plastic eating utensils, using containers for food, and bringing your own bags to place items in when you shop are all great things you can do! One of my goals is to be better at this. I noticed businesses are actually taking notice of these changes, with many recommending customers to bring their own bags! Hopefully soon this will be a habit we all accomplish. If we all do this simple task, we will make the world better than it was before!
Learn more:http://loadingdock.org/redo/Benefits_of_Reuse/body_benefits_of_reuse.html
d.) Save electricity! I know, this one is obvious but I am putting this on here for myself. I sometimes forget to turn off the light when not using a room, which is not a good idea for the planet or the electric bill!
Learn More: https://www.saveonenergy.com/learning-center/energy-saving-tips/how-does-saving-energy-help-the-environment/
I believe these will make the greatest impact if everyone tries all of these to the best of their ability. I hope these are realistic and practical ideas where you can actually be a part of making the world a better place. There are many other things you can do beyond this!
1.) First off there has been significantly less pollution as a result of less transportation relying on petroleum fuel, and less industrial activity recorded. This provides cleaner rivers, cleaner air, and an overall cleaner environment for the organisms, which will prevent them from getting sick and dying. This is overall better for the Earth as well because it helps fight the climate change issue, and may also provide healthier ecosystems.
2.) Green house gases have also been lowering. Studies have found carbon dioxide emissions have lowered greatly in 2020. This is because the world and economics are operating on a much slower scale.
These are both two positive things that benefit the well being of the planet. This is important because by removing us from the picture, it shows how much of an effect we really do have on the environment.
However this will not save our planet alone, not at all. The only way to save the planet is if each individual plays their part in the community. It is important for us ALL to work and do our part. I am no expert, but by just eliminating plastic straws to "save the turtles" is simply not enough. In the name of Earth day, I listed what we can currently do now that will help the environment that are actually practical to do without needing to purchase expensive solar units for your house or living without electricity like its the paleolithic times.
a.) Reduce meat/dairy consumption- People don't talk about this very much but it is a HUGE deal. For instance, one beef burger uses more water than two month's worth of showers! (1,799 gallons!) it also uses green house gas emissions, takes up tons of land, and contributes to deforstation and much more. Other meats and dairy products don't fall far behind. Giving up these foods is difficult for many people and I understand. You do not need to go veg to make a difference, but instead, swap out a beef burger for chicken(which is not as bad) one day, or even better, a plant based meal. You could also follow the meatless Monday rule! Reducing your consumption of these foods the best you can, even if its just a little, is one of the best things you can do for the Earth. Another idea might be to buy from a local NJ farm and not a mass factory farm from the grocery store.
Learn more:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/eat-less-meat-environmental-effect_l_5d39d84fe4b020cd99501f2d?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACbBqTnr4ORLv_21DqEcPKe8w4SiejXqubORb9pW0OU6ynVX1dhw1VUOyRK1zC13Y7HHP5WhS9bPEIRMXH4uWQxRtu4JOLXLJcnK-8HVT4ooaC7cj4MSs-_SeX7O5Tm5DQe-Nev2qSCJyL7CYA8O3lHizKmE4g8bQAaFqrkd9OM5
b.) Avoid products with palm oil, think of those poor orangutans! It is important to read food labels, because many times you end up buying something that contains harmful ingredients such as palm oil, that you don't need to buy. The production of palm oil has caused massive deforestation, soil degradation, habitat degradation, and more issues unfortunately. In many instances, the same exact foods are available, but some without the use of bad palm oil!
Learn More:
https://academy.plantbasednews.org/blog/palm-oil-vegan
c.) Reuse what you can- we all know how bad plastic is for the Earth. Using silverware instead of plastic eating utensils, using containers for food, and bringing your own bags to place items in when you shop are all great things you can do! One of my goals is to be better at this. I noticed businesses are actually taking notice of these changes, with many recommending customers to bring their own bags! Hopefully soon this will be a habit we all accomplish. If we all do this simple task, we will make the world better than it was before!
Learn more:http://loadingdock.org/redo/Benefits_of_Reuse/body_benefits_of_reuse.html
d.) Save electricity! I know, this one is obvious but I am putting this on here for myself. I sometimes forget to turn off the light when not using a room, which is not a good idea for the planet or the electric bill!
Learn More: https://www.saveonenergy.com/learning-center/energy-saving-tips/how-does-saving-energy-help-the-environment/
I believe these will make the greatest impact if everyone tries all of these to the best of their ability. I hope these are realistic and practical ideas where you can actually be a part of making the world a better place. There are many other things you can do beyond this!
Together we can do this, before it is to late! Happy Earth Day!
I hope everyone is doing okay. This is a very scary time. Please stay safe.
I hope everyone is doing okay. This is a very scary time. Please stay safe.
You have to use a metal straw to save the turtles!!
ReplyDeleteThe meat to water issue is so crazy! I think we should all be able to go meatless for at least a few days per week!
ReplyDeleteA lot more people need to learn these things. The more educated we are, the more we can do to help our planet.
ReplyDeleteWhen my family goes to Zinburger (which I have no say in) I always get the chicken sandwich and it is so much better than a burger.
ReplyDelete