9 Ways to Protect the Environment This Year

sustainablelivingreport | January 23, 2017 | Green & Eco-Friendly Living, Sustainable Living

With the future of environmental policy uncertain, it is up to us to protect the environment. Here are 9 good ways to do it…

In recent years, the U.S. has made some great strides towards environmental responsibility – including protecting millions of acres of national park lands, and joining the historical Paris climate change agreement in December of 2015.

Many had hopes that our country would continue to lead the way toward a clean, healthy planet for current and future generations, but the new administration seems to have other priorities, leaving it up to us (you and me) to take steps to protect the environment and defend our land, water, air, and communities.

Here are just a few ways that you can protect the environment this year:

1.) Write to your representatives in Congress. This is critical… Water, land, air and public health are bipartisan matters. Tell your representatives you want them to fight for a clean, healthy environment…

2.) Think globally, act locally. Join your town’s environmental commission, open space committee, land use board or “green team.” There are plenty of things you can do locally to make your own community a better and more sustainable place…

3.) Donate money to effective organizations that are working to protect land and water. On the national level, top organizations include but are not limited to the Natural Resources Defense Council, Environmental Defense Fund, Earthjustice, Sierra Club and the League of Conservation Voters…

4.) Save water and energy. …Regardless of drought conditions, always use water wisely. Consider downsizing your lawn and replacing it with native plants that are naturally more drought tolerant than grass. As for energy…there are dozens of ways to cut back on personal energy use… Driving less also makes a big difference.

5.) Clean up your corner of the planet. Volunteer to pick up trash at parks, beaches and along stream banks…

6.) Become an activist. Educate yourself on environmental issues and advocate for initiatives at all levels of government that benefit our land, air, water and wildlife…

7.) Eat local. Buy food produced at local farms … especially preserved farms and organic farms. Patronize restaurants that serve local foods. Start an organic backyard garden and grow some of your own fruits, veggies and herbs.

8.) Create less waste. Think twice before buying new stuff that you don’t need; instead, repair, reuse and repurpose your possessions whenever possible. Recycle glass, metal, plastic and paper waste, and start a compost pile for food and yard waste.

9.) Plant native trees, shrubs and flowers... In addition to soaking up greenhouse gases, trees provide food and shelter for birds and wildlife, and shade and natural beauty for humans…