Happy Earth Day, everyone! 

As a popular song says, "I'd love to change the world, but I don't know what to do . . . so I leave it up to you." Well, it's up to us. Throughout our lives, many of us have felt the obscure, almost intangible desire to "save the world." We often don't even know what that really means, or what that looks like, but we know we want to do it. Well, now, I'd like to discuss some actual tools we have to do just that. Saving the world isn't just physical; isn't just spiritual; isn't just emotional, ethical, etc. Ideally, it's all-encompassing.

One powerful step we can take is to make the connection between the food we eat and its impact on the world at large. I highly recommend the book and/or DVD, Diet for a New America by John Robbins as a good place to start. (Even if you don't live in America, the information it presents is quite relevant worldwide.) John Robbins is the founder of the wonderful organization, EarthSave (www.EarthSave.org).  

The majority of food crops currently produced (not to mention water and other resources) are used to feed animals who are raised for slaughter. We could easily feed all of the hungry people in the world if we fed plant-based foods directly to humans. With world population at an all-time high, we must look at long-term sustainability. Not only is our air contaminated with CO2 emissions caused in large part by animal agriculture, but our water is contaminated with runoff from factory farms. Anyone who has taken a road trip nationwide has likely encountered the horrendous smell of factory farms, which is almost unbearable and a clear indication that things are out of balance.  

In addition to the environmental devastation caused by raising meat, it's generally packaged in styrofoam and plastic wrap, and it must be kept under constant refrigeration or freezing, which also use tremendous energy. Bottom line: Not only is a plant-based diet better for our health and better for the animals; it's better for the environment. I hope I don't sound like I'm preaching, but the Earth Fairy told me that someone's gotta say it!  ;) 

In honor of Earth Day, let's now widen our commitment to our beautiful planet and look at all of the other ways we can tread more lightly upon the earth . . .

Things to avoid as much as possible: 

 -Styrofoam

-Excess packaging

-Excess energy consumption  

-Throwing anything "away" (Trash doesn't really go away)  

-Anything "disposable" 

-Non-recycled products

-Non-recyclable products

-Trial size/sample size products packaged in plastic, unless we reuse the containers

-New things if used ones will do just as well

-Commercial produce (It's the only way to be sure to avoid pesticides and GMO's)

-Over-consumption 

Things to do:

-Grow your own food, if possible (Go for gardens; not lawns!) 

-Support local organic farmers, and organic/non-GMO in general

-Buy in bulk

-Reduce consumption

-Reuse (Get creative; shop at rummage sales and secondhand stores; donate old stuff)

-Recycle (paper, cardboard, toilet paper rolls, plastic bottles, plastic wrap, etc.)

-B.Y.O.B. (Bring your own bags)

-B.Y.O.S. (Bring your own stuff - cloth napkins, dishes/utensils, toiletries, etc.)

-Avoid the temptation to take anything just because it's "free" or cheap (Nothing is really free - EVERYTHING HAS ITS PRICE): hotel pads, pens, bags, free gifts, and other unnecessary trinkets 

-Replace bottled water with water filters at the tap 

-Experiment: Throw all your "trash" in your own yard/home for a week

-Start composting

-Start collecting non-recyclable items for re-use, expressive arts, or eventual recycling as new methods are developed 

-Keep recycle/compost bins in your car in addition to your home 

-Keep dishes, utensils, napkins, and take-out bins in your car

-Carpool and/or combine trips 

-Recycle even when you travel; and just say "no" to daily maid service

-Be a good example, always (at home, at work, and everywhere else)

-Buy organic/non-GMO products

-Get off junk mail lists

-Buy earth-friendly and cruelty-free products (It makes a difference!) 

-Think homemade whenever possible

-Think organic cotton, hemp, etc.

-Use eco-friendly toothbrushes instead of the ones from the dentist

-Buy from conscious companies 

-Instead of pointing fingers, let's constantly examine our own actions (Actions speak louder than words) -Politely inform; don't criticize  

-Spread the word: We don't have to say a thing. We can use message stamps/bumper stickers/buttons/T-shirts/flyers when paying bills/checks with messages, etc. 

Now is the time to become educated and spread the word, as our planet cannot sustain the current mentality and consumption. We're running out of land; we're running out of clean air and water; we're running out of room; we're running out of time. It's not a question of, "What can we get away with?" It's a question of, "How much longer can we get away with this?"

Together, with little everyday actions, we can truly save the world! Happy Earth Day!