Earth Day - A Time to Celebrate... and Change Our Ways

Did you know that this Sunday, April 22, is Earth Day?

What will you be doing to celebrate and honor the planet that has been your home since birth?  (Unless, of course, you’re an alien.  In that case… WELCOME!  LOL.)

The Earth Day Network has dedicated Earth Day 2018 “to providing the information and inspiration needed to fundamentally change human attitude and behavior about plastics.” 

This is a worthy endeavor, in my opinion. 

I know that even though I’ve made efforts to reduce plastic exposure and use over the past few years, I still need to change my own attitude and behavior about plastics. 

Making some changes have been easy:

• I shed no tears when I replaced my plastic kitchen items with glass, steel, wood, and wicker…
• A friend gifted me with a four-pack of steel straws years ago, and my lips haven’t touched a plastic straw since...
• I love taking my Kleen Kanteen water bottle with me when I leave the house….
• Bringing cloth bags with me into the grocery store has become a part of my lifestyle…

On the other hand, some changes have been slower in coming.  Like giving up those plastic zip lock bags.  They’re just so darn convenient...

And then, there are times when it seems like the entire food industry is conspiring against me in my effort to make a full conversion!

For example, the organic lettuce at my local supermarket comes in a plastic bag… while the pesticide-laden one does not. WHY IS THAT?

The fresh pomegranate juice that I love to add to my morning smoothies comes in a plastic bottle… while the pasteurized, less nutritious variety is available in glass.

See what I’m up against?

Still, maybe it’s time I started rethinking a few things…

After all, pomegranate juice IS available in a freeze-dried powdered form, I just remembered.  And the bag it comes in isn't even plastic! 

And if the snow ever melts, and spring arrives to this part of the world, I'll be getting my Romaine from my back yard garden.  Please let that be SOON...

I’m sure you have your own share of challenges with plastic use… How will you be addressing them?

From poisoning and injuring marine life to disrupting human hormones, from littering our beaches and landscapes to clogging our waste streams and landfills, the exponential growth of plastics is now threatening the survival of our planet.  And ultimately, our own survival.

Thank you, Earth Day Network for building awareness.  I need to be continually reminded that my choices regarding plastic affects both my own health and the health of the earth.

Earth Day is just around the corner.  Celebrate!  And it’s not too soon to start thinking about making new and better choices – not only on Earth Day.  But every day.