Despite how overwhelming the world’s environmental problems can seem, there are things that each person can do, small changes each person can make in his or her lifestyle to bring about change. Perhaps you may not always make a noticeable difference by yourself, but if you begin greening up your own life, you will not only be contributing to the efforts already in motion, but will be an example for others to start and augment the “pool” of effort needed to cause lasting impact.
Aside from the suggestions you’ve undoubtedly heard such as buying locally produced food, and avoiding the use of paper napkins, plates and cups, here are some other suggestions for how we can be better stewards of God’s creation:
Our diet is one of the biggest ways most humans impact the environment. A United Nations Report explained that turning animals into food produces more greenhouse gasses than the world’s trucks, cars, trains, ships, and planes combined. John Robbins, in The Food Revolution, says that you can save more water by reducing meat intake than by not showering for an entire year. But, here’s the rub (at least for me) since being green is about loving the planet and loving its people: According to an article on GoVeg’s website, 1.4 billion people could be fed with the grain and soybeans fed to cattle alone. It seems like that would create quite a dent in the worldwide starvation problem. There are more and more scientific studies that are reporting that a plant-based diet is healthier anyway. This is not to say everyone needs to give up meat altogether. But most of us can probably think of good ways to reduce our meat intake. For those interested in becoming all-out vegetarians, however, it is also not healthy to become a herbivore cold turkey. There are essential nutrients in red meat (such as iron) that you’re body depends on to avoid such conditions as anemia, so it is important to do a bit of research before taking the plunge. The Vegan Society, the Vegetarian Society, and Care2.org all offer comprehensive online resources along these lines.
Another seemingly small yet enormously contributive change you can make is to stop buying bottled water. Not only is it now, in some places, over $2 a bottle, but most of it is just pre-packaged tap water anyway. So, if for no other reason, refusing to purchase bottled water will demonstrate that you are a smart and aware consumer. Also, according to an article on care2.org, only 20% of the bottles make it to into the recycling bin, the rest end up in a landfill where the plastics can take over 1,000 years to biodegrade. Even so, recycling many kinds of plastics, since they were not made to be recyclable, draw on our energy (which, for the most part is still “dirty”) resources to recycle properly. It seems to make more sense to purchase a Klean Kanteen or other reusable water bottle and re-fill it with filtered tap water.
Unplugging electronic equipment when it is not in use saves energy and money. According to research done at Cornell University (reported by The Daily Green), phantom energy (energy being used by appliances that are turned “off” but still plugged in) can add $200 annually to a typical home’s electric bill, and are using the equivalent of seven electrical generating plants. So, unplug that toaster, TV, cell phone or iPod charger, blender, juicer and other common kitchen appliances when not in use. Plugging other items such as home entertainment centers and microwaves into a power strip makes it easier to “unplug” when on vacation – all you have to do is flip the switch on the power strip.
Most of our common household cleaners are, according to an article on PlanetGreen.com, are petroleum based, and are hazardous to your health. Though there are more and more new lines of green products coming out on the market such as Simple Green and Seventh Generation, the surest way to make sure you are green cleaning is to use vinegar and baking powder and avoid bleach. Vinegar, which is relatively cheap, is basically just acetic acid and baking soda turns grease into soap!
It may be hard to see how you, as just one person, can make a difference by making some of the suggested changes, but, if everyone thought that they couldn’t make a difference because her or she were “just one person,” no change would ever be made! “One person” – each person – contributes to the whole.
Author's bio:
Megan Risley just finished her first year at Seattle Pacific University after transferring from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She grew up in Littleton, CO with two younger siblings, has been a certified scuba diver for ten years, and participated in marching band as an alto saxophone player for 6 years. She is involved with her amazing church, writes poetry, swims and cares for her adorable, big, black cat, "Norris." She heard the call to care for God's creation in a Doctrine of Creation class Fall quarter and is excited to do her part in the beautiful work of restoration.
