Go Green: 5 Easy Ways to Live Responsibly
This weekend I watched Before The Flood (twice), a documentary film depicting how shit we are to our planet and how to stop being such shitheads. I'm not sure that anyone uses the phrase "go green" anymore, probably because it seems a bit flowery, but I didn't want to scare you guys off by titling this piece: we're all going to die if we don't change something.
I'm not at the stage where I can vocalize what's happened in the White House at recent, but I will say this: Denying climate change is denying science. Do your research and then come tell me it ain't happenin'. Seriously. Come on over.
If you're already bored, watch this please for the sake of your CHILDREN.
The Earth whether you like it or not, is changing. Most of that change is happening so rapidly that we likely won't see the same Earth or resources for our kin. The good news is, there are little things you can do to slow down the depletion of the Earth's resources so your kids and grandkids aren't living in a wasteland.
Here are 5 ways to GO GREEN:
1. Switch to Chicken
The production of beef for human consumption accounts for 65% of greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere by livestock. This is because of methane. Methane is a mean old emission that comes from the poops and burps of the cows.
You've heard of CO2, a well-known baddie. Well get this shit, 1 methane molecule is the equivalent of 23 molecules of carbon according to scientists. That's right.
The carbon footprint of just one little beef burger, is outrageous. So, for the sake of not doing math I'll only focus on the raising of the cow-- just one part of the process.
The land required to raise cattle for slaughter is about 80% more than is required for chickens. This means more methane, more trees being knocked down so less oxygen being pumped into the air and more feed required to feed said bovine.
So! Next time you go out for a burger or a steak, get the chipper chicken instead.
2. Check the label
Specifically, check it for palm oil. If I see, PALM OIL I will be verrryy disappointed (Devil Wears Prada). Palm oil is a cheap commodity used in pretty much everything from chips to ice cream to soaps. The reason it should be avoided is because in order to produce it, rain forests that are producing the oxygen we breath, are burned to the ground to make way for palm oil plantations.
The easiest way to avoid it is to simply check the ingredients on your favorite buys and elect to avoid those that include palm oil. Supply & demand, you get it.
If for some reason you couldn't care less about the environment, it would behoove you to know that the production of palm oil also kills thousands of wild species. Think Elephants, Orangutans and Tigers, oh my.
3. Use your voice (and vote)
The most pressing issue here is that big business and government itself place little regulations on co2 emissions. A suggestion made by some is for a carbon tax. It's not as bad as it sounds, actually it doesn't sound bad (to me) at all. But, you decide for yourself. Find out more here: https://www.carbontax.org/
There are other ways to make your voice heard on the issue however. Vote for officials who place importance on the issue. A good place to start is local Government, I'm quite guilty of paying little to no attention to my State's representatives but these are the people speaking for you, so pay attention and maybe even volunteer yourself.
4. Participate
In Minneapolis, we are lucky enough to be relatively cognizant of our environment. Co ops like The Wedge participate in something called TerraCycle, a program that allows for special recycling. I mention The Wedge because that's my personal choice for local co op. They provide recycling for things like toothpaste tubes and bathroom items that would just be waste.
If you're a recycling newb, look up your city's recycling website to get guidelines and sign up for a bin. Minneapolis also offers composting to certain parts of the city -- which is organic recycling, this is easy and will cut your waste nearly in half because of how much food goes into the garbage. Recycling at any capacity is great! There are also brands that are committed to reducing waste. For my fellow yogis, Teeki uses recycled water bottles to create the fabric they use.
5. Educate Yourself
Have I argued with a few people trying desperately to force them to see reality? Yes. But! I realize more and more than if someone wants to remain ignorant, there isn't anything I can do.
If you think all of this is a bunch of bogus, please know that you can get the truth. All it takes is a little exploring. If you're willing to have an opinion on something, why not get all the facts you can in order to form more of a hypothesis than a opinion based on nothing eh?
I want to say this though, climate change isn't red or blue, it's not far left or right. It doesn't have a party because it's going to affect every one of us. By delving into the facts and projections on the issue, you're already helping.
sources:
- beforetheflood.com
- Documentary film: Before The Flood
- Smithsonianmag.com
