I love the thought behind Earth Month, Earth Day, Earth Hour, etc., etc. It gets people to think about our daily actions and how the planet is in actual, real trouble. The problem is that these trendy hashtags and momentary pushes to recycle are they’re largely performative.

There are so many things we can actually do, and I mean besides RT the usual stats and Greta Thunberg tweets.

A big, and I mean MASSIVE one we can do is to get rid of the green lawns (or maybe just a part of it) that were popularised by French and English royalty in the 18th century. Aside from using a lot of incredibly harmful chemicals to kill the weeds, it’s a massive drain of available water. Turn them into a veggie and fruit plot that will help reduce your grocery bill, give you and your family something fun to do together, and help the planet. Everyone wins.

Another one is to provide a food source for the pollinators that are responsible for two-thirds of the food we eat! Without them, we’re done.

Encouraging pollinators in the garden is essential for the health and well-being of our environment. Here are five ways to encourage pollinators in your garden:

1. Plant pollinator-friendly flowers: Choose plants that are attractive to bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. Some popular choices include sunflowers, lavender, coneflowers, and wildflowers.
2. Provide a water source: Pollinators need water to survive, so providing a shallow dish or birdbath filled with water can be a great way to attract them to your garden.
3. Avoid pesticides: Pesticides can harm pollinators, so it’s important to avoid using them in your garden. Instead, use natural methods to control pests, such as companion planting and using neem oil.
4. Provide shelter: Pollinators need shelter to rest and nest. You can create a bee hotel or leave some bare ground for ground-nesting bees.
5. Plant a variety of flowers: Planting a variety of flowers will attract different types of pollinators, so it’s important to choose a mix of plants that bloom at different times throughout the growing season. This will ensure that there is always a food source available for pollinators in your garden.

“A Whopping 91 Percent of Plastic Isn’t Recycled

Billions of tons of plastic have been made of the past decades, and much of it is becoming trash and litter”

National Geographic

It’s going to take everyone to make a positive change. Here are 50 ways we can make a change in our daily lives to make a positive impact on climate change, recycling, reducing water and carbon consumption, and food waste.

1. Use reusable shopping bags instead of plastic bags.
2. Carry a reusable water bottle with you to avoid buying bottled water.
3. Turn off lights and unplug electronics when not in use to save energy.
4. Take shorter showers to reduce water consumption.
5. Use energy-efficient LED light bulbs to save electricity.
6. Buy locally grown and organic produce to reduce your carbon footprint.
7. Use public transportation or carpool to reduce carbon emissions.
8. Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators to conserve water.
9. Use a programmable thermostat to save energy.
10. Choose products made from sustainable materials, such as bamboo or recycled paper.
11. Use a clothesline or drying rack instead of a dryer to save energy.
12. Compost food scraps and yard waste instead of throwing them away.
13. Use reusable containers for food storage instead of disposable plastic containers.
14. Recycle paper, glass, plastic, and other materials.
15. Plant trees and other vegetation to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
16. Buy products with minimal packaging to reduce waste.
17. Use a reusable coffee cup instead of disposable cups.
18. Reduce meat consumption, as livestock farming is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
19. Purchase energy-efficient appliances to save electricity.
20. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving to save water.
21. Buy used or refurbished items instead of new products.
22. Use a bicycle or walk instead of driving for short trips.
23. Insulate your home to reduce energy consumption.
24. Eat locally caught fish instead of imported fish to reduce your carbon footprint.
25. Use a reusable straw instead of a plastic straw.
26. Switch to a green energy provider to support renewable energy.
27. Install solar panels on your roof to generate your own electricity.
28. Plant flowers on your balcony or garden to encourage pollinators.
29. Choose eco-friendly cleaning products to reduce environmental impact.
30. Repair broken items instead of throwing them away.
31. Use a reusable menstrual cup or cloth pads instead of disposable products.
32. Participate in community recycling programs and events.
33. Donate clothes, toys, and other items to charity instead of throwing them away.
34. Use public parks and other green spaces to reduce the need for personal lawn care.
35. Buy products made from recycled materials.
36. Use a rain barrel to collect rainwater for gardening instead of using tap water.
37. Turn off the water while washing dishes by hand to save water.
38. Grow your own veggies!
39. Buy energy-efficient windows and doors to reduce heat loss.
40. Use a reusable makeup remover cloth instead of disposable wipes.
41. Use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting during the day to save energy.
42. Use a reusable handkerchief instead of disposable tissues.
43. Choose a washing machine with an energy-efficient rating.
44. Use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins.
45. Choose furniture made from sustainable materials, such as bamboo or reclaimed wood.
46. Use a reusable container for your takeout food instead of disposable containers.
47. Use rechargeable batteries instead of disposable batteries.
48. Use a reusable razor instead of disposable razors.
49. Choose environmentally friendly options for home renovations and remodeling.
50. Use a pressure cooker to reduce cooking time and save energy.

So, we’ve got some ideas and lots of work to do. Let’s go!

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