Ten Things to Help SAVE THE PLANET

      It’s Earth Day, and you know what that means — Mom’s Birthday! Not your biological mother, but the Mother of Us All. Since it’s a holiday, we won’t dwell on all the intractable environmental problems that could potentially derail us as a species. We’ll save that discussion for another day. Instead, as a tribute to Mother Earth in all her, well, earthiness, here are ten things you can do to assure She makes it to Her next birthday and a few million after that.

1.  Think globally. Act locally.

2.  Eat organic.

3.  Conserve water, and drink more water, too.

4.  Walk more. Bike more. Drive less.

5.  Plant a tree or a pesticide-free garden (but not a rose garden; too much fertilizer).

6.  Sing. Yes, believe it or not. The planet is made up of sound so show your appreciation and join in Her song.

7.  Become consciously aware. Every moment spent rooted in the present is one more you won’t miss. Enjoy it to the fullest.

8.  Buy products that have a smaller environmental and carbon footprint, i.e. it’s okay if you can’t afford a Prius. Start small. Buying food sans excessive packaging that would end up in a landfill is perhaps just as important.

9.  Reduce, reuse, recycle. Not just bottles and cans, but clothes, shoes, appliances, electronics, whatever you can.

10.  Most importantly — vote with your wallet. As consumers, we hold tremendous sway over the products appearing on the shelves in our local markets. If you don’t like them, don’t buy them.  And if you really don’t like them, vote with your feet and walk to another store!

Over the next few months we’ll talk more about these things individually, but for now, Happy Earth Day.

Pam Lazos

4.22.14