Happy Earth Day 2020!

This day feels significantly more special than years past. Maybe it is the general gain of appreciation for all things little (though Mother Earth is massive) these days. Maybe it is the slowing down and focusing up that is happening right now. Or maybe it is all of the things that have been put on hold and taken away this past month that make this Earth Day feel bigger, heavier and more significant. I know this, I have always had an appreciation for nature. It is where I feel calm and at peace. It is where my happiness grows exponentially. It is where time slows down, technology is put on hold and I return to being. Also, I know this without a doubt, I have come to love our family bike rides, walks and evenings spent in our backyard. My appreciation for Mother Earth is at an all time high and I am more focused on saving her than ever before.

This year, Earth Day is focused on Climate Action and acting on climate change. It is our job to start taking care of an earth that has given so much to all of us. In these times of pandemic, it is clear that earth is our shelter and our home. Our safety and our saving grace. She is currently our escape and our freedom. A walk with family, a bike ride, a hike, the simple ability to opt outside and get fresh air; all of us are currently utilizing earth’s riches to provide sanity, clarity and comfort. It is our job to start replenishing earth’s resources and saving the one wild planet we have to live on.

There are easy and quick actions that can be taken by each one of us immediately to support Mother Earth.

REDUCE: Find products that use less packaging, buy reusable over disposable items whenever you can, work to maintain or repair items versus immediately replacing them and borrow, rent or share items versus buying something that you will use infrequently. Take reusable bags shopping with you and have Tupperware on hand to store excess food items versus plastic baggies. Pack school lunches with reusable bags as well.

REUSE: Use reusable water bottles versus toss away plastic bottles, bring silverware in a lunch box versus plastic toss away table ware, use hand towels versus paper towels, hand clothing down versus buying new for every child.

RECYCLE: Whenever and wherever you can – recycle products. By recycle you reduce the need to use natural resources such as timber, water and minerals. Additionally, you reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfills and incinerators. Recycling prevents pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials and saves energy.

This Earth Day practice the three R’s when and as often as you can. I want this earth to be around long after I am gone. I want the ability to explore and adventure this earth. I want to teach my kids to appreciate the beauty this earth offers.
“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” – Susan Sontag