Saving the World a Little Bit at a Time

In theory, we all want to be a friend to the earth. We all want to be “green”, to make a difference, to change the world. But in reality, being earth friendly can be demanding and can be intimidating. Once you start asking questions about ingredients in your cosmetics, how far your food has travelled, or what your daily vices are actually costing the planet, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and ask that question “why bother at all?”

Because little actions DO matter. Being a friend to the planet doesn’t need to be “all or nothing”. If you’re newer to the “eco-movement”, like many of us are, don’t get so overwhelmed that you don’t want to try at all. Instead of immediately selling the family car, perhaps start by buying a local apple. Look at what actions your family can take without feeling the pain, and work from there. We can all make small changes that affect our daily life only minimally, yet can have a huge impact on the earth. Ask your self a few questions about daily choices you make:

1. Is the lack of coffee and bananas in the 100 mile diet too extreme for you?
That doesn’t mean that you can’t spend an afternoon at the farmer’s market or head for the apples under the “locally grown” sign at the grocery store. A study in Iowa found that a regional diet consumed 17 times less oil and gas than a typical diet based on food shipped across the country. So, if you just buy a few local items, you may not be saving the world 17 times as fast, but 8 times counts too.

2. Navy showers not for you?
If you just can’t get used to the cold breeze while soaping up, there are easier ways to conserve water. For example, turn off the tap when you brush your teeth. When the tap is on, 2 to 7 gallons of pure drinking water flow out every minute. Other water saving techniques include using a dishwasher instead of hand washing and skipping the pre-rinse. A study out of Germany indicated a 6X greater water efficiency of dishwashers over hand-washing.

3. Is vinegar just for your chips?
Sure white vinegar removes mould and mildew, and baking soda is great for scouring, but most of us are not organized enough (or simply don’t want) to be making our own house cleaners. The average family uses 30 gallons of various chemical-laden cleaners each year, which inevitably find their way into water, air and soil. An easy alternative is to select a biodegradable plant-based cleaner, instead of your regular one; they are probably on the same shelf at the supermarket, and the fish will love you if you choose the former.

4. Do the wheels on your bus go round & round?
There are an endless number of reasons to use public transportation but let’s be honest; convenience, reliability, and comfort are not among them, especially if you live in the suburbs. So start by making smarter choices when driving your car. Drive slower; decreasing your speed by even 5 miles per hour boosts your fuel efficiency by a couple of gallons. Don’t idle your car; time spent idling results in needless pollution, carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption. When stuck at a train, simply turn off your car.

Ask yourself questions on a constant basis; what little changes can you implement to make a difference? Nobody can save the world alone. So if you start feeling overwhelmed, just put your toes in the grass, and remember that it is small and simple acts that renew your friendship with the earth. Every little bit counts.