In April, I like to increase my focus on the environment and the green actions that I do on a day-to-day basis. I live a pretty green life but there is always room for improvement. I also like to educate myself on the positive happenings that are taking place. Earth Day is on April 22nd and there are many in-person and virtual events going on all month. I encourage you to attend one and see what new ideas people are coming up with. This year’s theme is Invest In Our Planet. https://www.earthday.org/
It is easy to get discouraged or experience anxiety when we think about the environmental state of our planet. I get discouraged every day that I drive in North Carolina. The amount of trash I see on the sides of the roads is shocking to me. I grew up in the 70’s and there were commercials teaching us not to litter and this seems like a no-brainer to me. However, I see people throwing full bags of fast-food trash out of their car windows. I see massive amounts of litter on the sides of roads and it is much worse than it used to be. I do experience a “What’s the use attitude.” I have to consciously chose to look for the positive changes that are occurring. The American Psychology Association (APA) describes eco-anxiety as “the chronic fear of environmental cataclysm that comes from observing the seemingly irrevocable impact of climate change and the associated concern for one's future and that of next generations”. As I talked about in my blog from April of 2021, please don’t cripple your actions because of fear. https://www.wavesoflove.net/post/what-can-i-do-there-is-no-one-way
I seek out sources of information to keep my hopes up and energize my efforts to live a greener life. Here are some wonderful things I came across that are in the positive column.
At Forsyth Country Day school I saw three 4th graders picking up trash from the playground every day in their morning recess. They were happily doing this and were excited to have filled their paper bag over the weeks’ time.
I was reading my issue of American Forests and learned that Biden had signed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. This legislation will invest over $5 billion dollars to fight against climate change by providing forest-related provisions. (American Forests. Winter/Spring 2023)
Duke Energy offers a program that is called Renewable Advantage which supports clean, green energy. It starts at $4.00 a month which purchases one 250 kWh of renewable energy block. This will help reduce your environmental footprint and advance green power. For each block you purchase, 50 cents will be donated to support solar installation and education at North Carolina schools. Duke Energy does not profit from this program. The fees go towards the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates (REC’s).
There are 110 countries who have pledged to use only renewable energy by 2050. https://www.earthday.org/the-clean-energy-quiz/
Zac Efron has a Netflix documentary show called Down to Earth. It focuses on people and countries who are making positive environmental changes. There are currently 16 episodes you can watch.
Seeing other people taking action helps to encourage me on my efforts. I have made lots of small changes in my life and am sharing a list of ten easy things you can do to help our planet. Some of these actions do not cost money, they save you money.
1. Do not litter.
2. Turn off lights when you leave the room.
3. Recycle.
4. Participate in Meatless Monday.
5. Turn your car off when your car is parked.
6. Use filtered water and reduce drinking 1 use water bottles or cans.
7. Stop using plastic straws.
8. Use powdered laundry detergent.
9. Turn the water off when you are brushing your teeth.
10. Find a charitable organization doing work for the planet and support it financially. I love American Forests. A $1.00 donation plants one tree. A $25.00 donation plants 25 trees.
Your actions do make a difference and you are an example to others. Invest in Our Planet.
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