I don't think it is any mistake that "Reduce" is first in the mantra. Perhaps it is just a matter of making things sound good, but I tend to believe it is because it is actually probably the most important thing we can do to help our environment. Why are so many things made with synthetic materials that don't biodegrade? Why do companies continually rape the planet of it's resources faster than nature can reproduce? Because we buy it. Because we want it. Because we use it without thinking about it.
While I believe reduce is the most important, it is also the one I struggle with the most. I have been especially troubled by our use of plastic. Plastic is probably one of the miracles of our modern science. It has allowed us to have and do MANY that we take for granted in our daily lives. Unfortunately it is probably the thing we use in our daily life that is the worst for the environment. As discussed in my last post, we can recycle plastic. However, the information on how effective that recycling is, is sketchy.
All in all, the BEST way to reduce our impact on the environment is to reduce our consumption and our waste. Unfortunately I have not had an overwhelming amount of success in this area. I feel as if I am just chipping away without making much progress.
That being said, there is one big way to reduce your use of plastic, specifically plastic bags. Reusable bags! Not only are they useful, and good for the environment, they can also be pretty! Even if you use ones made of plastic, using them over and over instead of throwing bags away after each shopping trip will reduce your personal impact on the environment.
Some bags are plain, but useful.
Insulated bags are extremely useful!
They can also be pretty!
These are some of my favorites :D
You're bags can also make a statement.
(Just for clarification, music is not life for me,
it is just the reusable bag that was available at HotTopic)
If you have other ideas for how to reduce our use of materials, or our general impact on the environment. In the meantime...
Enjoy your tiptoe through the tulips!
I honestly believe that when God told Adam and Eve to take care of the earth He didn't just meant them specifically. And I think we're going to held accountable for our actions towards this magnificent planet He gave us.
ReplyDeleteI struggle with reducing as well, especially in the plastics area. I definitely think reusable plastic bags is the best and easiest way to reduce our consumption of plastic (it's tough to turn away from plastic stuff when you have kids). I do feel a bit better when I'm able to re-purpose items. For example I have an old wipes container a that now holds crayons for Morgandy.
Can't wait to see what else you post.