5 ways to be Eco-conscious right now

If this is a concern of yours, you may be experiencing some anxiety about climate change/global collapse or the general the state of the world. I want to stop you right there. Take a deep breath. Though our individual actions matter, the biggest culprits contributing to landfill waste, water pollution, and climate change are big corporations. Their marketing does a good job of placing the blame and responsibility on the consumer which is you. Take a deep breath. Many times this leaves folks feeling hopeless. Let’s change that.

VOTE - One way to circumvent this is to hold companies accountable, boycott them and vote with your money. VOTE on a local level. I’m talking city and council elections not just federal. Get familiar with the folks representing you and hold them accountable for earth friendly choices when it comes to your cities water, air, and pollution policies.

View of the city I call home, and whose local elections I never miss

BUY LOCAL- Befriend your local farmers market farmer by patroning and supporting their business. Whether it is buying their tea, honey, sprouts, greens, eggs, or meat. Replace a store bought item with one grown or harvested local to you and keep adding to it. Extra kudos if you can support a BIPOC farmer.

SWITCH - Switch one item to a package free or plastic free alternative. Switch from liquid bath soap to a bar. Get powdered laundry detergent from a box. Buy loose apples and mushrooms from the grocers in a cloth bag you bring from home. Pick one thing. Generating less waste is always a good thing.

THRIFT- If you have a need for an item, if at all possible try to purchase it second-hand first. Keeps things out of land-fills if you can.

LIBRARY- Libraries are often the backbones of their communities. Support and patron your local library as much as possible. Read books, attend classes, and have meetings there. Reading a library book instead of buying a brand new book is always a good idea, but many Local libraries may also lend out work out equipment, dvd players, radios, baking gear, and craft supplies. Items you may only need occasionally and don’t need to purchase. Incredibly convenient and eco-friendly.

Peace,

Farai