Any time the subject of climate change comes up there will be conflicting opinions.. I'm not sure of the exact numbers who believe in climate change versus those that don't, but in my little corner of the world the general consensus is that the whole thing is a hoax. The reasons vary but what it comes down to is the belief that this is just another period of a cyclical pattern the earth goes through.
I don't waste my time getting into these discussions. The reason is simple, it doesn't matter. If you get right down to it, most people don't want to believe their actions will result in harm to the planet. Who does? What is true is that everyone harms the planet to some degree. So whether our actions are harming climate, they are harming the planet, and as a result our own lives. Instead of getting into these discussions, I prefer to take responsibility for my actions and make fewer choices that cause harm. In the end, making these changes has simplified and enhanced my life and my health.
Why would I want to?:
- drag large bags of trash out weekly to the curb destined for a landfill
- smell toxic chemicals in my home
- Use products that add to the overall pollution of the air
- work long hours to pay for these things
Change is happening any way
This winter is a very good example of our changing times, whether human instigated the changes or they are just another pattern of change the earth experiences. I live in an area that sees 200 + inches of snow per year. Not so these last two years, winter has barely shown itself in this area.
Where I would see temperatures for weeks below freezing, we have temperatures well above that for weeks at a time. We no longer get to see a day with temperatures of zero or below, which is usually common. I don't particularly care for winter, but I know we need it.
Without the snow our water table will fall, with that comes drought which will dry up our wells, making ordinary tasks difficult. From showering and laundry to our drinking water we all need water to survive.
What can we do?
We can live intentionally. Living lighter, using less natural resources, and polluting less will all help us to have a healthier planet. Some examples include:
- Take shorter showers, and don't leaving water running or dripping
- Re-use, recycle, then dispose
- Drive less, combine trips to save gas
- Purchase non-toxic cleaners. baking soda and vinegar could almost do every job in and around your home
- Moving? look for a smaller rather than larger, you will save on heating and cooling while freeing up your time normally spent cleaning for other activities.
- Weatherize your home, it will save on both heating and cooling
- Think before you buy. Impulse buying results in plenty of remorse later.
- Shop consignment and thrift stores. You will reduce precious resources from being used unnecessarily and extend the life of products already produced while reducing your waste from packaging and new production
- Repair an item before replacing it.
- Wash our cars less often.
Today I noticed our local gasoline prices had risen ten cents from yesterday, two hours later it had gone up another ten cents. The damage to the planet and the depletion of our natural resources are now more than ever affecting our wallets.
Before the creation of the first light bulb, people were satisfied with how they lit their homes. We don't think too much about how to do something differently until we are shown there is another way. By living consciously, we will show by example that things don't have to be done the way we think they do. The results may surprise you.
What if it's all a hoax?
So what if it is? If you took the time to learn what products were natural to use on your person and around your home, maybe even making your own, you would be creating a healthier environment for yourself, while polluting less.
You would find other benefits as well. If you changed your diet to include more local foods, the transportation costs for your food would decrease, helping save natural resources, but you would be eating healthier and feeling better. You may even lose those last five pounds you wanted to lose.
If you have less trash to take out to the curb, you will find you have more money in your pocket. How so? Simple where did all that trash come from? It came from the packaging on the items you bought. You will also save money on buying trash bags.
Our local area allows residents to pay a lump fee for garbage pick-up, allowing you pretty much an unlimited amount of trash you can throw out, or you can buy 32 gallon bags instead. When you purchase the bags you will be more conscious of how much you are throwing away as the less bags you take out each month the more money you will save.
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