Earth Day Resolutions
Janet McGarry, AIM Volunteer, April 19, 2021
It’s no secret that the past year has been a difficult one for the planet. The pandemic, disastrous wildfires and drought have made it clear that climate change and other environmental issues pose serious threats to public health and society. Americans are major contributors of greenhouse emissions and use more than our fair share of natural resources. If the rest of the world lived like we do, we would need more than four Earths! The situation is serious but not hopeless because we also have solutions. Renewable energy, green transportation, water conservation and energy efficient technology can help us reduce our environmental impact. Just like making resolutions at New Year’s, on Earth Day, each of us can commit to adopting eco-friendly habits.
Below are some suggestions for reducing your ecological footprint.
If you’re purchasing food sustainably grown by local and regional farmers and food-makers at an AIM market, you’re already making food choices that help the planet. Continue making eco-friendly choices about your diet after you bring food home from the market.
Eat more, waste less -- Food waste contributes to climate change, as well as wastes water, energy and land used to grow the food, so try to eat or share all the food you purchase and compost the scraps.
Use less plastic and recycle – Reduce plastic use by using cloth bags or reusing paper bags. In the refrigerator, store leftovers in glass container or beeswax wraps rather than plastic wrap or containers. Recycle cans, plastic and paper that you can’t re-use.
Clean Transportation – Transportation is the largest source of emissions in California so we need to reduce the miles we drive.
Use your feet – Instead of going to the gym, walk or bike more. Exercising outside will not only improve your health but also the planet’s.
Public transportation – The Bay Area has excellent public transportation with BART, MUNI, SMART, AC Transit, and Golden Gate Transit. Instead of battling traffic and searching for parking, you can read, listen to music or daydream while reducing your greenhouse emissions.
Carpool – Carpooling is another eco-friendly way to travel and also save money by sharing expenses for gas and tolls.
Hybrid or Zero Emission Vehicles – Next time you purchase a car, consider a hybrid or electric car or car sharing if you live in the city and rarely need a car. Visit Drive Clean Bay Area to learn about options to help make the switch to electric.
Fewer Flights – Air travel contributes to climate change so reduce plane rides when possible. One bright side to the pandemic is that businesses are realizing that virtual meetings can save time and money spent on travel with added benefits for the environment.
Greener Homes – We use a lot of energy and water in our homes washing clothes and dishes, taking showers, watering lawns, powering refrigerators, computers, heaters and air conditioners.
During the pandemic, we are spending more time at home so have even greater control over our environmental impact.
Be energy efficient– Use LED lightbulbs and install motion detectors on outside lights to reduce electricity use. When purchasing refrigerators, washing machines and other appliances, choose energy efficient models that get the job done with less damage to the environment. Some laundry detergents effectively clean with cold water conserving energy used to heat water. Instead of using the dryer, hang clothes to dry naturally.
Use Renewable Energy and Conserve – Even if you rent or don’t want to install solar panels, you can still power your residence with renewable energy because many utilities offer a renewable energy option. If you own your home, installing energy efficient windows and insulation will lower your energy usage and bills. So can putting on a sweater or blanket instead of the heat or a t-shirt instead of the air conditioner.
Turn off or Unplug – Our houses are full of computers, televisions, coffee machines and gadgets that are powered by electricity. Turn off machines and lights when they’re not being used. Unplug “energy vampires” like cable boxes, microwaves, DVD players, hair dryers, printers, video game consoles and other devices that use energy and drain power even when turned off. Or plug these machines into a power strip that can be turned off when not in use. When you unplug your laptop or phone after charging, unplug the charger also.
Watch water use – We’re all washing our hands more frequently during the pandemic which means more water down the drain. Turn off the tap while sudsing your hands and brushing your teeth; the water needs to run only when you’re ready to rinse. Conserve water by installing low-flow shower heads and toilets and buy water efficient appliances like washing machines and dishwashers that use less water to clean.
Plant drought tolerant, native plants – Native plants provide food and habitat for insects, birds and other wildlife and are adapted to thrive without frequent watering. Planting natives adapted to our Mediterranean climate helps nature, reduces your water bill and is beautiful – a triple win. Consider replacing a green lawn with native grasses but if you can’t give up your lawn, water wisely and mow less to provide habitat for beneficial insects. Avoid or minimize use of pesticides, rodenticides and fertilizers which negatively impact the environment and human health.
Eco-friendly fashion tips – the environmental impact of fashion has not gotten as much attention as food’s, but chemicals, water and energy used in textile production take a toll on the planet. Buy clothes (sheets and towels too) made from organic cotton or other sustainable materials. Avoid fast fashion, purchase fewer clothes, wear them longer and then upcycle or compost them.