Every home has a story, and they are as vast and varied as the world is wide. But they all start with inspiration, and inspiration starts with our surroundings. That’s what home is. Family. Friends. A sense of place. An amazing view. It is all part of what makes a space a home because your home is where you truly live. As homeowners ourselves we understand that your best life begins with a home that inspires you.
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“The Earth is a fine place and worth fighting for”
— Ernest Hemingway
While there are many opinions about climate change and how best to live our lives, prosper and care for the environment, no one can argue we have seen an increase in wildfires, hurricanes and wacky weather. It’s hard to sift through all the information out there, here are 8 ways to help the Earth and yourself stay healthy.
You might have heard about the Earth’s tipping points or “boundaries” in our planet’s natural systems. A team of 28 internationally renowned scientists identified how breaches to these boundaries are leading to irreversible changes, threatening the quality and sustainability of the resources we depend upon for food, water, and the life-sustaining air we breathe.
To date, four of the nine planetary boundaries have been crossed: climate change, biodiversity, land-system change, and the global nitrogen cycle. (The other five are ozone depletion, ocean acidification, chemical pollution, freshwater consumption threshold, and atmospheric aerosol loading.) The evidence for these breaches is seen in changes taking place in the air, land, and water systems:
- changes to, and loss of, animal and plant biodiversity and extinction
- soil, air and water pollution creating undrinkable water in populated areas
- polar ice cap melting, creating changes in land-masses, sea level and air temperature, resulting in a trickle-down effect on
- how we farm, pest insurgency, food availability and sustainability
- failure to meet food and energy needs due to inadequate or ineffective development of water and land resources
How do these changes affect human health? They lead to increases in food and waterborne disease and increases in disease carried by wildlife. They contribute to the movement of wildlife, which brings disease into populated areas. They lead to widespread food insecurity and increased cases of malnutrition; rising rates of cancer, heart disease, respiratory illness, and diabetes; and shifts in weather patterns, leading to natural disasters.
Thankfully, though, we have opportunities to make Earth-friendly choices every day. Here are 8 simple ways to keep the planet healthy—and yourself in the process.
1) Go Green When You Clean. Choose eco-friendly cleaning agents. From dish detergent to laundry detergent and the soap you use to wash your car, many brands offer “green” alternatives to their standard cleaning products. Consider learning how to make your own eco-friendly products.
2) Use Renewable Energy. Solar power, water power — if you live in an area where these are available, there’s likely a tax benefit to installing sources of renewable energy.
3) Shorten Your Shower. Take showers instead of baths to prevent water waste. Set a timer for a shorter shower.
4) Weatherize Your Home. Be sure your home has proper insulation. Check for leaks around doors and windows, which will drive up energy use and costs. See if your power provider offers a household “energy audit.”
5) Grow Your Own Food. Growing food helps save money, reduces the environmental cost of factory farming, and gives the whole family an “agri-education.” No yard? Container gardens are great for herbs, berries, some varieties of tomato and pepper. Many urban communities offer a community garden plot for lease and the cost is often less than what you would pay for produce for a season or two.
6) Eat Organic, Seasonally & Locally. When you can, choose organic and in-season foods from local farms (Community Supported Agriculture-CSA) to support your local economy.
7) Go Meatless on Mondays. Just one day a week, decrease meat consumption by using a plant-based recipe.
8) Reduce your Food-print. When grocery shopping, opt for products with the least packaging. This may mean buying off-brand. Also, buy products that come in reusable glass jars. Bring your own reusable bags or containers to the store, including for use at the bulk food bins. Reuse leftover food in next-day meals.
A simple Google search on easy ways to reduce your impact on global warming will introduce you to dozens of ideas and resources. Also, check with your local energy companies for resources and programs they offer.
Healing the planet, and sustaining our resources is a global effort that starts in our own homes and communities. Together, we can do more.