As April 22 was Earth Day, I’d like to reflect on how to extend the protection of our planet beyond just one day:
• Don’t litter. Pick up trash when you can.
• Drive a fuel-efficient vehicle, ride your bike or walk place to place.
• Compost to reduce waste. Learn more at reimaginetakeout.com.
• Reuse/reduce! Take your mug when getting coffee and your own bags to the grocery store, and reuse items to mitigate single-use plastics, which are placing a major strain on our land, land animals and oceans and marine life.
• Swap animal-based proteins for plant-based options.
Agriculture is one of the leading causes of climate change due to deforestation for farmlands, extinguishing wildlife and forcing indigenous peoples from their homes, and its immense greenhouse gas emissions.
The great news is that what’s best for our environment is also best for us. Whole food plant-based diets can help avoid, treat and even reverse chronic disease (obesity, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, etc.).
I implore you to consider how consumerism affects our future. American researcher Robert Sapolsky once said, “You don’t have to choose between being scientific and being compassionate.” I say: love more, and consider extending love to all lifeforms.
Rebecca Deutsch
Shaler