Earth Day. 22-04-2012.

Earth Day. 22-04-2012.

Joyful joyful we adore our Earth in all its wonderment
Simple gifts of nature that all join into a paradise
Now we must resolve to protect her
Show her our love throughout all time
With our gentle hand and touch
We make our home a newborn world
Now we must resolve to protect her
Show her our love throughout all time
With our gentle hand and touch
We make our home a newborn world

It is the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.

1.      We have to educate ourselves.  How can we solve the problem if we don't know what the problem is? Information on green thinking, environmentalism and sustainable living is everywhere these days. Why not start with like our very own guide for How to Go Green?

2.      Transport. One of the biggest impacts we have on the planet is a direct result of the way we move ourselves around. You might consider walking, biking or using mass transit, at least a few days a week. Let the cars sleep.

3.      Energy. Many of the most effective ways to cut carbon emissions are also the cheapest. Turn lights off when you go out, install energy efficient bulbs and appliances, insulate your home, and keep an eye on consumption.

4.      Water

Every drop of tap water we use also requires energy to filter, purify and transport, and that means fossil fuel emissions. And for those of you in dryer areas, you know only too well that water is becoming an ever-scarcer resource. Fortunately it's pretty easy to do something about--install water-saving shower heads and aerators, turn the tap off when you're brushing your teeth, switch to more efficient appliances, or collect rainwater for use in the garden.

5.      Food.  More and more people are getting interested in sustainable food systems. To bring it back to basics, there are four principles that can help guide you to greener meals: eat local, eat seasonal, eat organic, and finally, eat less meat.

6.      Waste. Waste is still a big deal. Every item thrown away has taken energy and resources to manufacture and transport, and it will take even more energy and resources to process and dispose of, whether through landfill or recycling. So the old adage still rings true: reduce, reuse, recycle. And don't forget to compost!

7.      Threads. Organic cotton, and other alternative fabrics like hemp, flax or bamboo are becoming increasingly common, as are high-end fashion items from recycled materials. And then, of course, there are the trusty vintage and thrift stores  everywhere--style never goes out of fashion.

8.      Personal care. hemp-based, goat milk lip blusher may be the greenest product of its kind on the market.  Use nature organic products as beauty items.

9.      Plastic bags, bottles, plastic waste has to be recycled. Our planet, our home is being neglected. Climate change continues unabated. It seems there's a new ecological disaster happening almost daily. This Earth Day it's time to mobilize the planet from the ground up to send a message that the Earth won't wait