It Really is A Wonderful World After All

While it has become easy to look around at the Earth and point out everything that is harming it, I have realized that I also need to take time to notice all the efforts that are already being put toward saving it.

The thing is, once you begin to focus on the negatives, it becomes quite a simple pattern. But during a trip to Whole Foods today, I recognized that there are indeed many people who are hell-bent on making our world a better place.

I was walking through the parking lot when I noticed the new signs that the store had implemented. They read: “BYOB: Remember Your Reusable Bags.” No, the BYOB is not the kind of your college days; instead, it stands for what you might have assumed — Bring Your Own Bag!

Now, of course, a place like Whole Foods is chock-full of people who are working toward making our planet a better one. But today, they really went all out, including the debut of their blue recycling containers for your home and the announcement of the winner from their art made from recycled materials contest. The design at the top of the post is a poster of the winner — look close and you will see a water bottle and laundry detergent container.

Upon leaving, I also spotted new signs in the parking lot that designate spots for people who drive vehicles that run on alternative fuel. I thought it was an interesting way to reward people who are making a difference with their choice of transportation.

What’s more, I love walking to the bookstore or grocery store, and seeing a line of bicycles outside. I have not yet made the switch to a bike, but that certainly is such a fabulous alternate way to get from A to B. And of course, more and more people are opting for reusable bags instead of paper or plastic. What a fantastic small change, seeing as how according to several studies it takes more than 1000 years for plastic to decompose.

It made me so happy, on this day that recognizes our Earth, to see so many people working to improve not only their own lives, but the lives of others — both present and future. And while many of us, including myself, are imperfect people, it is reaffirming to see that the effort is there.

And that gives us all a bit to lean on, right?

Happy Earth Day!

“Every day is Earth Day.” ~author unknown

♥ Check out yesterday’s post for Earth Day crafts, quizzes and, events, and stay tuned for more on this special day!

Make Your Voice Heard on Earth Day!

In case you have not yet heard, Earth Day is tomorrow! The following are a few Earth Day activities that have been created to honor the day in which we celebrate the very ground on which we walk! Now, I am not one to talk politics amongst mixed company, but the first item on the Earth Day to-do list is one in which people from every political standpoint can take part ….

More Earth Day links:

• Get Rid of Plastic Bags
• Earth Day Crafts
• Worldwide Earth Day Events
• Carbon Footprint Quiz (Quite the eye-opener!)

And don’t forget to wear green!♥

Go Makeout with a Few Trees Today

As promised yesterday …

I once had a … well, lets call her an acquaintance in an effort to keep her anonymous … So, I once had an acquaintance tell me that she hates “tree huggers.”

And I thought, “Really?”

Well, hopefully, the earth is around long enough for you to pass that lesson on to your children. ):

I mean, to an extent, I get it. Sometimes all of the efforts for saving the earth and the animals and so forth can seem a bit in-your-face. But when I feel that way, I remind myself that I feel that way because of the fact that these truths are making me uncomfortable; at that moment, I am not yet ready to admit that the earth is falling apart or that it really is unfair to keep chickens cooped up to an extent where they are unable to move for the entire duration of their lives.

So, the fact that she made such a statement — and had made many others of the like — made me cringe. Not because I necessarily think she is a bad person, but because of the fact that she has yet to learn of the the harm involved in such statements.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not perfect. I sometimes buy too many apples and have to throw one away, and I drive an SUV that is for sure not helping the Earth. But I would much rather be a tree hugger-in-training than a person who fails to realize the failings of the world that surrounds her.

Now, am I foolish enough to think that my efforts alone will change the world? Absolutely not. My recycling container in the corner of my kitchen and reusable bags that I take to the grocery store are all just small bits at a time.

But the real questions are: What if no one made any efforts? Don’t all of these little changes make a noteworthy difference? Don’t they all add up to make an even bigger difference?

I am reminded of a story that my mother read to me when I was younger. It is called The Starfish Story, and it is adapted from The Star Thrower by Loren Eiseley:

→ Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”

The young man paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean.”

“I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?” asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, “The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.”

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, “But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can’t possibly make a difference!”

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, “It made a difference for that one.”

And isn’t that the point?

The truth is, if you set out trying to save the entire Earth, you will find yourself with quite a full plate. But it is the small efforts, the few starfish, that make a difference. And that, for anyone, is a doable cause.

So, I say hate the treehugger, and you are only hating a truth that you are unwilling to recognize. No one is asking you to spearhead the global warming movement. But make a few small steps toward saving this planet, and you will be wrapping your arms around a big oak in no time.

Recycle and Reuse

Recycling saves energy: Creating a new aluminum can from scratch takes 95% more energy than making a can from recycled aluminum. — Source: Earth911

Stay tuned for more green information later today — here at Eat, Pray, Run we are honoring Earth Month!

P.S. A very special congratulations to my sister, Amanda. Today is her last day of college!

No Jokes Here — Let’s Get Serious About Our Planet!

The beginning of a new month always presents to me an opportunity to start anew. And while I would like to kick April off by playing the world’s most fabulous April Fools’ Day prank on all of you, I decided to, instead, acknowledge this day as the beginning of the month in which we celebrate Earth Day. What a better time than now to talk about a few things that each one of us can be doing to save our planet?

Now, I know we have been inundated with thoughts of global warming, and “green” talk may be the last thing you want to hear about. But if you are anything like me, than I have confidence that each one of you would like to be doing your part to save the good Earth that lies at our feet. Right?

I read this article today and I found it quite interesting. Some of the tips I cannot yet adhere to, — I don’t think my landlord would appreciate solar panels — but it is nice to know that I can do something as small as change a light bulb and know that I am making a difference!

Read on for more tips:

A Green Truth: 5 Things to Buy

From The Oprah Winfrey Show “Global Warming 101 with Al Gore“

For the past 20 years, former Vice President Al Gore has been traveling the world speaking about global warming, a passion of his since college. In 2006, his lecture was made into the documentary An Inconvenient Truth. Now available on DVD, this is the third highest grossing documentary of all time. Gore will donate 100 percent of his profits from his movie and book to a non-partisan effort to continue education on global warming.

In his lectures, book and documentary, Gore explains that if we continue to ignore what we are doing to our planet, we risk destroying the very future of our civilization. And the former vice president says that we must act before it’s too late.”Some of the leading scientists are now saying we may have as little as 10 years before we cross a kind of point-of-no-return, beyond which it’s much more difficult to save the habitability of the planet in the future,” Gore says.You are not helpless in the fight against global warming. Gore goes inside a Lowe’s Home Improvement store outside Nashville, Tennessee, to show you the five things you can buy that will help solve the climate crisis…and save you a few bucks!

Compact fluorescent light bulbs: These energy-efficient bulbs cost less than $4 and are produced by major corporations like GE. If every household in America switched five regular light bulbs for five fluorescent bulbs, it would be the equivalent of taking 1 million cars off the highways for a full year.

Outdoor solar lighting: These yard or patio lights cost less than $20, and they don’t burn any electricity or produce any CO2.

Programmable thermostats: Though these thermostats cost from $50 to $100, they can actually cut your heating and cooling costs. Set the setting so it’s a little bit cooler in the winter and warmer in the summer when you’re not in the house. A difference of 2 degrees can reduce a home’s CO2 emissions by up to 9 percent over the course of a year.

Air filters: Changing the air filters in your heating and cooling systems regularly can knock 2 percent off of your CO2 output each year.

Electric hot water heater blanket: Hot water heaters use a lot of energy and generate a lot of CO2. A blanket costs less than $18 and can cut your home’s CO2 emissions by almost 4 1/2 percent.Gore says that when you’re shopping for major home appliances, look for the Energy Star label. “This is a signal that you’re getting an environmentally efficient appliance that’s going to save you money at the same time,” he says.

A few other small (but HUGE!) ways to go green:

• Use pure beeswax candles which are naturally aromatic and infused with the sweet, subtle scent of honey. Check out 3RLiving.
• Try a cute tote as an alternative to shopping bags. I love the Green & Gorgeous tote by Scoop NYC. And it’s only 28 bucks! (Hey, mom, my birthday is coming up . . . hint, hint! )
• Use cleaning products that do not contain chemicals that can cause harm to the planet and your home. Try Shaklee’s Get Clean Fresh Laundry detergent or a vinegar-based, ammonia-free window cleaner, like biokleen.
• Invest in a power strip. According to an article in the March 2008 issue of domino magazine, a computer that has been urned off still drains the lifeblood from outlets, accounting for up to 10 percent of home electricity use. The new-generation strip actually stops the current saving money and energy. Check out this one for $30.95 at Smart Home USA.

I cannot wait to research these and many more products — in addition to green efforts around the globe — during the month of April. It is exciting to know that each one of us can make small changes to make a huge difference in our world.

“Don’t blow it – good planets are hard to find.” — Quote from Time magazine