A topic that seems to either be forgotten or seems simply impossible to approach concerns the way we treat our planet. There are many lessons to teach our children, and taking care of our planet should be a priority.

Instead, thoughts on what we want to say or teach, slip by like moments.  So, lets get into it now.

Earth day just passed, and it seems like people will spring money for an Earth t-shirt. I say, choose to forget the shirt next year and save the resources. Let’s care for Earth everyday. This is another thing to teach to our children, because they will have what we leave them, and what we TEACH to them.

People disagree on whether or not Earth is changing.  Some people argue that the planets resource’s are being depleted…

Below are my observations and further down the page are simple tips on how to be more aware in our lives with regards to Earth. 

Our food has changed

Have you ever realized how long lettuce from a grocery store lasts in a refrigerator- without sun or water…maybe a week.  Is it weird that a plant can do that?

I think it is strange.  If I put lettuce from my yard into the fridge it wilts that same day.  What’s the difference? Is that genetic engineering?

Have you ever stopped to brainstorm ALL the reason why our produce may need to be altered, to the extent that it doesn’t need water or sun or other nutrients, to survive for at least a week in a fridge?  Is it even truly alive? I don’t know, but it definitely appears different, not like the plants I am familiar with…

Some people say that modifying our produce is necessary, because it protects the plants against disease as well as help the plants to use the soil’s nutrients more efficiently. My question is, why is that necessary? I have read that the planet’s nutrient soil is becoming depleted, due to the amount of food needed by everyone, including the livestock.

 In other words, Earth can’t regenerate rich soil (needed for our produce/ grains) fast enough for our consumption AND the consumption of our livestock (all of the animals people eat).

Basically, we need too much too fast.

What if we could start taking more seriously the way we throw out our food scraps?

What if we started composting?  I don’t think this has to be complicated.  It could be as simple as putting banana peels (minus the stickers) or egg shells into a garden.  It could be buried a little and no one would see it…

WHY?  The decomposition of organic materials, like veggies, fruits, cut grass, leaves, even hair, feeds the earth the nutrients needed to sustain our food production.  If all of us did a small amount, it would add up. There are even some communities with places where scraps can be taken, and compost is shared by the community.

Food scraps are wasted in the garbage dumps, because it is decomposing with other things, which produces methane gas. So, simply throwing away stuff doesn’t actually help.

This seems small, but everything has a small start.  Maybe one day soon, communities can begin to take things into their own hands and also begin composting initiatives. Then, practice growing some of our own food together.  This is actually being done on a small scale, in some parks, schools, and yards throughout my area.  It’s mainly to teach, but it shows that we can take care of our soil and grow things without other people doing it for us.

The weather

Scientists studying climate change have seen that the Earth has always had fluctuations in the weather, like global warming.  Some even speculate that ancient global warming combined with a natural disaster may have led to things like droughts and socioeconomic unrest (where people are in disagreement over how to handle issues related to the production/distribution of food and water, for example). Ultimately,  the changes in weather combined with  natural disasters and unrest could have contributed to the demise of some of these civilizations.

Today, we have vehicles, factories, and unhealthy habits which could be exacerbating factors involving climate change.

By now, who can deny that our weather has become odd.  No one truly knows why it is has changed so dramatically, because the “proof” is more speculative.  But, it divides people and that weird  part of me wonders if that’s  what was actually intended.. (“Global Warming” is largely misunderstood, so I want to add that global warming refers to the gases in our atmosphere- not necessarily the temperature of the weather.   So, when the gases in our atmosphere warm up, that can cause our temperatures to warm OR to cool).

Personally, I don’t need anyone to confirm the changes in our weather.  I’ve lived in a number of different locations.  I know what each location is like, normally. To start, we can even look at the vegetation.  I know when the Crepe Myrtles bloom in one area- and no one’s myrtles have bloomed in years there. Trees and plants can stop blooming when the conditions are not right for it.  Is it possible our weather is sending mixed messages to our vegetation?   In another(much cooler) area in the northern part of the U.S., air conditioners are becoming needed in homes. It wasn’t common to build homes or buildings with A.C.’s, in the past. They really weren’t needed.  Look to nature, it will react to odd fluctuations in the weather. I don’t know the science behind it, but I pay attention.  I try to take care of my own plants and trees and sometimes growth and blooming patterns seem different, even if I’m not doing anything different.

Common sense

If we stop to really look at all of the items sold to us, we can get a better sense of the amount of production occurring in our world.  Currently, industry involves factories, transportation, electricity (or energy), natural resources, or the concurrent production of other resources.  Most of that produces byproducts or waste. As I look around my own room, I see a TV, furniture, my laptop, linen- all of that was produced.  I’m not saying it is bad to have these things.  I am just trying to put it into perspective.  I think a lot of us don’t see the scale of things well.  We don’t realize the gravity of the situation.  If we have a better understanding of things, then we make more informed decisions.

Then, there is the way “world leaders” want or threaten to fight– I mean fight war. How are nuclear bombs even a thing? SERIOUSLY!  I understand that the top level may have little respect for human life, when it comes to their power and control being threatened (I know, they word it very different), but nuclear bombs don’t exactly vibe with a healthy planet. I mean the two “don’t talk”…besides where would our politicians live after they kill us and the land?  Wait, that’s probably another topic…   can you imagine threatening someone the way our leaders threaten each other- we could go to jail for what is called “terroristic threats.” We’d probably also be mandated into Anger Management. Yet, it’s okay for the people in power?  I’m rambling, sorry. Nuclear weaponry is not OK for any country.  It makes No sense.

Tips on being thoughtful to Earth:

-Put the food scraps in the dirt. It is best to leave out the meat and dairy, unless you decide to get serious with compost and have read how to do it well. I think it has become common knowledge that coffee grounds are great for a lot of plants and flowers.  Coffee grounds can change the color of some flowers, so it can seem like a little experiment for our kids.

-Consider Earth as a living entity. There are scientists who say that the Earth itself, is alive. Defining life is still very controversial, so people debate whether Earth is alive- maybe it has more to do with agendas.  On a basic level, how can something not be alive, but create all the life we have on this planet?

-Some people say not to use items like, paper towels.  If you are doing more laundry as a result, than I don’t know if this is a better alternative to paper towels, because the production of extra detergent is going into the ground/ water. I think it’s about balance and doing things in a measured, thoughtful way.

-Use reusable (and recyclable) bags at grocery stores.  Regular grocery store bags can’t be placed with our other recyclables at home.  However, a lot of grocery stores do have a place to drop off their bags, for recycling.

-A lot of my shirts, tees, summer dresses, and undergarments need to be hand washed and I do that simply in the shower, then let them air dry. It’s simple, fast, and preserves my over-priced stuff.  Plus, I don’t need to use a washing machine, or dryer for my simple stuff. Fortunately, it’s still common to wear jeans a few times before washing.

-Cleaning supplies.  There are lots of people who like lemons and other acidic fruit for disposals, vinegar/ baking soda for almost anything, and tea tree oil for mold and bacteria. All you need is a typical spray bottle (nothing very big) and three teaspoons of tea tree oil. It does have an astringent smell, but it reminds me of “clean”.

-Big box tech stores often have a place to drop off things like batteries, and cords, old phones, etc. These items shouldn’t be thrown in the trash.

-In the 90’s, I read an article that said if you buy drinks in cans, it’s good to cut up the plastic can holders- this helps to keep the wild life from getting their heads and necks stuck in the rings.  As a young girl, I learned how our trash harms birds.  I remembered insisting that my grandmother always cut these plastic can holders.

-Consider looking at the packaging of makeup, toiletries, and other various household products.  Be in the know of what is going on your family’s bodies. It isn’t just about Earth.

-Do we really need to upgrade everything all the time- new phones, new TV’s, new cars, new leather purses, new bigger homes, etc. every so many years.  Honestly, shouldn’t we expect more for our money anyway.

-Hear out the previous generations- Sometimes there are things we can learn from the older people in our lives. For example, we could learn how to work with the land better. Some of us have family members who know about natural remedies for various ailments.  We haven’t been so dependent on things/ technology for very long.  Maybe the lesson would be to go with the flow and work together.  How did life look before we became so dependent?  I am not saying live like cavemen (I wouldn’t want to anyway) but I am talking about taking the information from the previous generations and even improving that information.

-Skip on the plastic straws. Consider alternatives.  Can you imagine how much plastic is out there…

There are many other examples, but my point is that we could all become more aware of our own individual impact, because we all live here.  It’s about initiative and being responsible for our own wellbeing.  Taking care of ourselves is also a lesson we want to instill in our children.