1. Craft from recycled products
The Earth is in need of some tender loving care, and we need to become thoughtful about the amount of trouble we are inflicting upon ourselves and generations to come if we are wasteful. Thankfully, many are rising to the occasion and choosing to be wise in how much they waste as a consumer. Instead of automatically buying everything we want or need, we should take steps to craft items from recycled products. This simple step will save a lot when added up.
Furniture
Shelves, platform beds, coffee tables… all these furniture items can be created from wooden pallets. And thankfully, this kind of crafting is becoming quite a trend. Not only for the thrifty, making furniture out of wooden pallets is a skill to be desired. Because this furniture is coming into vogue, you could even create your own business opportunity – as a creator of many furniture pieces for friends who want to get in on this new style but do not have time to design it themselves.
Lamps
Need a change from your boring, typical lamp shade? Ever thought of using old cheese graters? Use the standing kind with four sides and an empty space in the middle that is perfect for a light bulb to fit inside, and hang it above your dinner table. These will add rustic yet modern charm to your kitchen space. Lightweight bowls can provide another creative means of expression when it comes to the lighting in your home.
Decoupage
By sticking paper cut-outs to an object and then using several coats of varnish to cover it, you can create beautiful decoupage. Use old maps and the pages from old books to create decoupage in your home environment. Your creativity has no limits as you make new objects with a trendy feel to them. Cover everything from jars to books to old soup cans.
Bird Houses
Don’t forget your feathered friends. In your plight to save the Earth and help out other creatures in the process, you can create beautiful homes for the birds around you. Simply make these tiny mansions out of used plastic jugs and large juice boxes. You will be surprised how a simple structure can provide the basic necessities for these animals to thrive.
Gift Bags from Fabric
Stop using wrapping paper or even disposable gift bags that are made of paper. Although many people reuse these paper gift bags, they rip easily and are generally thrown away after the first or second use. Instead, create your own homemade gift bags from fabric. These will be treasured, and used again and again. They can also be made to be washable, which will keep them in existence for even longer.
Stands or Benches
Use old crates to create stands that will hold all your extras. Use a few along with a couple of planks of wood and some old fabric to make a bench that will warm up the atmosphere of any home. Add legs to give your benches extra height. Use your creativity to imagine what you will make next. The sky is the limit.
Crafting from recycled products is not only earth-friendly but also fun. There are many different directions you can go with it, so simply choose a project depending on what extra materials you have lying around, and what your personal interests are. In no time, you will have a home that is filled with unique, beautiful, eco-friendly décor.
2. Eco-friendly toys
As an earth-conscious parent, there is no doubt that you will want your child to have toys that are eco-friendly. Part of being a good role model is showing your child how to be earth-friendly in their day-to-day living. This kind of leadership will also inspire many of your friends to do the same, which will have an even larger impact on the health of the Earth in the end. Here are a few great ideas for eco-friendly toys for young children of various ages.
Wooden Carpenter Set
Whether boy or girl, what child wouldn’t want to role play the part of a carpenter? When the carpenter set is made of wood, this is a great eco-friendly toy. Your child can use and reuse the tools to create their own make-believe world where they are building and designing whatever they wish.
Wooden Kitchen
Your little chef will enjoy playing in their own wooden kitchen. If you are the handy type, collect spare wood scraps and build your own. Buy wooden items such as dishes and cutlery to complete the play set. Kids of all ages enjoy pretending to work hard in the kitchen, and the Earth will thank you for skipping the plastic set.
Felt Board
Take a peek back to your own childhood and think about some of the toys you played with. Felt boards were once a staple in every classroom and home. Buy one already made, or create one yourself. Make a plain background and possibly a few interchangeable background scenes, for example a city landscape and a beach. Collect or create felt characters with clothes and random accessories for hours of storytelling fun for your child.
Wooden Blocks
Blocks have always been a fun part of childhood. Hours spent building and designing structures are good for children, both physically and mentally. Your child’s attention span will grow as they learn to focus on building. Wooden blocks keep it environmentally friendly, and you can paint them with various eco-friendly paints to brighten things up a little.
Wooden Puzzles
Puzzles are great for developing child’s thinking skills, and when they are made from wood, they are not harmful to the Earth and its resources. Build a collection of puzzles with characters and shapes that appeal to your child. It is far better to buy these long-lasting ones than the more flashy, cheap ones that get destroyed easily and end up in the landfill by the dozens.
Waldorf Doll
If your little one loves packing around a baby doll, consider investing in a Waldorf doll. Made from materials such as cotton and using materials such as sheep’s wool for stuffing, these are a safe and earth-friendly alternative to dolls made of plastic. Your child will love packing these around everywhere, and will be able to use their imagination as the faces are often more open to interpretation and creativity than plastic dolls.
Because toys will be a major part of your little one’s growing up years, why not buy the safest and most eco-friendly toys you can find? Not only will you show kindness toward the environment, but your little one will also be protected as they are exposed to fewer of the toxic chemicals that are generally used in the manufacturing of the more mainstream kind. Start with a small collection, and gradually replace your child’s toys with those that are good for the Earth and your precious little one.
3. Encouraging wildlife and insects in your garden
As you create the perfect space in your garden, you will want to take into consideration the many life forms that will thrive there and contribute to your garden’s health. Wildlife and insects are often thought of as a nuisance, but some of them can be extremely beneficial to you and your garden. Educate yourself so you can know the difference and be equipped to encourage their existence.
Do Your Research
Learn about why you would even want to encourage wildlife and insects in your garden in the first place. When you hear about them, you might feel defensive of your treasured garden and want to keep all “unwanted” life forms away from it. But did you know that some insects help keep away the real “bad guys” and protect your garden from being ravaged by them? This kind of biological control is so much better for your garden, your own health, and the health of the Earth than the toxic chemicals that too many gardeners rely on.
Good and Bad
Yes, some insects and wildlife are keen on destroying all your hard work as quickly as they can. However, there are plenty of beneficial bugs around as well. Adult lady beetles devour mites and aphids, saving your plant life from destruction. Spiders eat insects and therefore help rid your garden of pests. Most garden spiders do not go into houses and are not poisonous, so you don’t need to worry about allowing them to take control of your garden.
Ground beetles feast on snails, slugs and many other garden enemies. Many birds can contribute to your garden by indulging in a variety of harmful insects. Toads and lizards also decrease the population of the insects that no gardener wants around.
Why would anyone want to saturate their garden and future meals with chemicals that are harmful to the human body and the Earth, when one can simply rely on this natural means to keep the harmful insect population in check?
Encourage Pollinating Insects
Some wildlife and insects are beneficial because they have an appetite for the insects that can destroy your garden and put to waste all your hard work. There are other qualities held by certain helpful wildlife and insect populations as well, such as the pollination efforts made by insects including butterflies, moths, flies, wasps and bees. Without these helpful insects, your garden will not be in a healthy state for long.
Create a Hospitable Environment for Your Little Guests
Some insects such as bees are somewhat under threat. These hard workers are essential to the proper balance of nature. With all the pesticides and other environmental factors at play, however, their very lives and existence are at risk.
You can do your part to help them by creating an environment in your garden that will attract and encourage their survival. Say no to chemical insecticides, and choose to use natural method to discourage pests and weeds. Plant nectar and pollen-rich plants to feed your new friends. You can take measures such as planting for every season so that the wildlife and insects that you want to thrive will have a place to call home, and will also have food to keep them alive and well.
It is not very difficult to encourage helpful insects and garden-friendly wildlife in your garden. All it takes is a little knowledge and a few simple and inexpensive changes. In a short amount of time, you will have a beautiful and natural garden.
4. Gardening – an eco-friendly way of life
As individuals who are concerned about the state of our environment, there are many things we can do to ease the burden that the Earth has been forced to carry. If we are going to use this Earth to live in, the least we can do is to use it in thanks and gratitude.
One way we can live responsibly and minimize our impact is to grow our own food whenever possible. If every one of us did this to even a small extent, it would create great benefits for not only ourselves and those around us, but also for the world’s future. Here are some tips if you are planning to start your own garden.
Consider Your Climate
You may have a strong desire to grow your own plump, luscious oranges and lemons, but if you live in the north where snow and below-freezing temperatures are typical for most of the winter, you may need to revisit your plans. Buy a book written by a local gardener, or visit a nearby garden centre to speak with someone who is knowledgeable about gardening in your area. This will give you a good indication of what produce is likely to work and what isn’t.
Grow a Variety of Plants
Don’t stick to just one or two similar vegetables. Choose a few fruits, vegetables and herbs that will make your garden beautiful and rock your tastebuds. There are many options out there, so look around and don’t settle on the first ideas you have.
Don’t Challenge Yourself Too Much
Some homegrown things are easier to handle, and some are better left to the pros. When you are starting out, don’t jump into too much too soon. This will be disappointing and may discourage you from trying again next year. Consider starting with an herb garden, as some herbs such as mint, thyme, basil, and chives are great for beginners and will give you enthusiasm as you see them begin to take over your garden with minimal effort.
Use the Space You Have
Not everyone has a sprawling landscape on which to plan their garden. Of course that is the dream of many a gardener, but it’s not necessary to have this in order to be successful in your endeavors. Even someone who lives in a condo can have a small but full garden on their patio.
Composting
Composting isn’t nearly as difficult or time-consuming as it may sound. Everyone should at least give it a try. Collect your kitchen scraps, peels and yard waste and put them in a special compost bin, or find another container to store them in. Add a sufficient amount of brown matter, such as newspaper and leaves. This will all combine to create a great compost. Add new material regularly and turn the pile once a week or so. In a few months, your compost should smell like soil and be ready for use.
Gardening is a great way to care for the Earth and conserve its resources, while also saving your family money. There are many ways you can use your space in a worthwhile way. Decide what your personal goals for your garden are, and take steps to create the garden of your dreams.
5. Getting kids involved outside of the home
Raising earth-conscious kids is an important part of being a parent. Being an earth-conscious role model is a great start, but it is even better to get your children involved in volunteering as young as possible. This will give them the benefit of getting into a life-long pattern of doing what they can for the Earth.
Many of us did not have the benefit of growing up in a time where people were conscious of the importance of this, so we can give our kids a head start that will make it even easier for them to remember for their whole life.
Recycling Programs
Recycling programs are a great way to keep little hands busy. You can volunteer with your children as a family or a group to collect bottles along highways or other littered areas. After cleaning the areas and returning bottles and cans to the bottle depot, children can either split the profits or donate them to a local environmental charity.
Litter Patrol
Litter patrol is another great opportunity for children to care for the environment. Put together a team or a group with several teams who adopt a highway or rotate through various neighborhoods. Keep the streets clean and rejuvenate neighbourhoods that need a helping hand, while strengthening group ties through this project.
Community Gardens
Community gardens are becoming more popular. Find out if your city or neighbourhood would be willing to designate land to this project, or join one that is already going. Work together to learn more about gardening and growing produce, then put your knowledge to work. Community gardens can be done in a way where each person involved takes shifts, and then splits the produce that is grown there.
Community Cleanups
This does not only have to be in regards to garbage. Picking up garbage, collecting bottles and cans, fixing broken benches at bus stops, growing grass and plants in once-deserted lots… this can all be part of an effective community cleanup. If your community is in need of some tender loving care, join together to teach your children about caring for their home through their actions. Even if your community is well-cared for, you can teach your children the joy of helping others by volunteering in communities that are not doing quite as well as yours.
Graffiti Removal
Graffiti can be beautiful and at times graffiti artists show great skill, but graffiti that is done without permission devalues property and makes communities look uncared for. Get rid of permanent markings that were not supposed to be there, and repaint surfaces for a fresh look. If you have artists in the group, and you have the permission of the city or community you are volunteering for, new paintings can add a modern look that can unite everyone in your community.
Caring for the Earth is for the whole family. There is a project for everyone, and all ages can get involved. Find something that your kids enjoy, and do your part as a family to take care of the Earth today.
6. Plan a neighborhood cleanup with after-cleanup activities
Keeping your neighbourhood clean is something that will benefit you and all your neighbors. Since everyone should take pride in their home and most individuals are willing to pitch in to keep it beautiful, make it a community event. Here are some ideas that will help you plan a neighbourhood cleanup that will leave everyone with great memories.
Find Our Your Neighborhood Needs
As you plan your neighborhood cleanup, you will want to create a list of your community’s specific needs. Do you have a lot of graffiti to remove? Is there garbage on the sides of the roads? What are the needs that you and your neighbors face? Brainstorm, asking each household to think of the needs they can see personally. As everyone pools their ideas, you will be able to compile a list of all the needs, or the most pressing ones if there are too many to work on in one day.
Decide Exactly What You Will Do
What are you going to do? Remove graffiti, wash the dusty sidewalks or collect bottles and cans from ditches? Maybe your list includes things like planting gardens in bare spots, or cleaning up messes left behind by pet owners in parks. Narrow it down to the activities that can be accommodated by the number of people participating and the amount of time you have.
Decide Who Will Participate
Is this a neighbor-only event? Or are you allowing friends and family to join in your efforts? You may be surprised at how many people who don’t live in your neighborhood are interested in taking part in events that will benefit those they love. As an added incentive, your after-cleanup activities can act as a thank you to those who took part.
Designate specific tasks to each community member, and if they have anyone joining them, they can work alongside that person. Make the after party strictly for those helping in the cleanup, or you may find many people getting there late to enjoy the fun while skipping the hard work.
Plan Activities for after the Cleanup
When the work is done, it is time to play. The after-cleanup activities should be relaxing but fun. Think along the lines of a barbecue, active games, or an outdoor movie. Does your neighborhood have a lake or beach area to access? How about combining it all into one huge celebration, like a giant movie screen on a hill in your neighborhood after dark? Think of activities that will appeal to all ages, such as bouncy castles, face painting and a candy toss. Make this something that everyone looks forward to each year, as this will improve the participation numbers in coming years.
Designate Everyone a Task for Each Segment of the Event
Just as each community member has a task to complete at the cleanup, give everyone a special assignment at the after party. Be sure to include every detail, including who will purchase and bring the food, do the cooking, and supervise the children’s activities. Before the event takes place, round up the members of your community who have skills in party planning. Things will run so much more smoothly when everything is organized beforehand.
Cleaning up your community is an important job, but it doesn’t have to be a boring one. With a little planning and team effort, you can turn a mundane task into a event that becomes a yearly favorite for everyone. Do your part for the Earth, one community at a time.
7. Focusing on “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”
“Reduce, reuse, recycle” has become a favorite slogan in the effort to sustain the Earth and its resources. Although it is has been around awhile, it is still as important a concept as it was in its beginning. These three principles are the cornerstone in a united effort to get rid of unnecessary waste. Here are some ideas on how to get back to this as a main focus.
Reduce
The first and very important means of halting wastefulness is to reduce our consumption of everything possible. Instead of buying too much and then needing to figure out how to dispose of it in the most environmentally friendly manner, don’t buy it at all. Reduce the number of products you buy, and reduce the amount of products that you use. Look closely at the packaging when making purchases. If possible, avoid buying food in single serving packages, as much of our needless waste is created through packaging. Buy foods in bulk. Choose a few pieces of quality clothing instead of a closet full of cheap garments.
Reuse
Reuse what you can. Instead of throwing away old glass containers, use them to store leftover food in the fridge. Wash out old plastic containers from dairy products and give them to the children in your life for craft projects or to make homemade toys such as drums. When you accidentally print too many pages from the internet, cut each page into four even pieces, staple together in a stack and use them as spare paper to record phone messages etc. There are endless ways to reuse the things around us instead of throwing them away… all it takes is a little creativity.
Recycle
Don’t throw away your recyclable materials. Change your habits and use the recycling bin instead of just the garbage pail. It may be an effort at first, but once you get started it will become a simple habit. Only throw away what is truly garbage, and put the rest of your scraps to good use by the important step of recycling.
Be a Role Model
Be that person who takes the lead and makes steps to put “the three R’s” into practice. Figure out your best plan of attack and make one change at a time. As you make changes, it will snowball into more and more good decisions.
Educate Others
Share your ideas and successes with those around you. Use social media to get others motivated to make changes in their own homes. If you have children, or are in a role where you influence children, teach them what you know about the concept of “reduce, reuse, recycle” so that they can get excited about a lifetime of making positive changes for the Earth. Young people are often the most enthusiastic about changing the world, and have no fear of taking the necessary steps to make it happen.
“Reduce, reuse, recycle” is such a simple set of words, yet with so great of a positive force behind them. Do your part to participate in them and you will feel empowered. When we all unite, we can do so much to make positive changes for this beautiful world that we live in together.
8. Where to find activities for the earth-conscious family
When you are raising a family in a world with the environmental issues that ours has, it gives you a desire to be creative about the activities you choose. The things you do as a family can either help or harm the Earth, and there are consequences to both options – whether those consequences be good or bad. Here are some activity ideas for your earth-conscious family to do together, as well as where to look for more information.
Nature Walks and Observation
What could be a better place for your family to bond than out enjoying nature together? By exposing your children to nature and the environment, you are giving them more than a good time. By learning about nature while they are still young, there is a much greater chance that they will care about nature when they are older.
Simply by strolling along a river pathway in the midst of trees, you are giving your children a glimpse of what nature really has to offer, and what we should be working so hard to conserve. Do a lot of talking while you are on these walks and hikes, such as discussing why you do not throw garbage onto the ground or pick wild flowers, and what can happen when these guidelines are disobeyed.
Getting to Know Animals
In the same way that becoming familiar with nature will give your children a love for it and natural feelings of protection toward it, becoming familiar with animals will give them that same love and feeling of protection for them. Learn about wild animals and the dangers that they face. Talk about what it means for an animal to become endangered or extinct, and the different levels of danger on that particular scale. Get to know all the details about the animals, such as what they like to eat, how they act, and exactly how they live.
Wildlife Sanctuaries
To expose your children to the animals further, visit a wildlife sanctuary. There are many different types, from bird sanctuaries to all the other animals in your area. Learn about them beforehand so that when you see them up close, you and your children can remind each other about the qualities and quirks of each animal. This brings it to a personal level. Make a game of it, such as checking off different wildlife that you see on each particular trip.
Where to Look for More Info
If you would like more info on what you and your family can do together to help the planet while also enjoying each other, check out some of these resources. Pinterest is a great social media service and with the vast number of users on it, you are sure to find a huge variety of suitable activities for your family to enjoy. Type in search topics such as “earth-friendly family fun”, “earth day activities” and “nature walk”. Check out other great websites such as “National Geographic Kids” at http://kids.nationalgeographic.com and “Time For Kids” at www.timeforkids.com.
There are many ways to get your earth-conscious family involved in the world around them. When you have spare time together as a family, why not use it to become more involved together? Step forward in this moment and make the Earth stronger with your family’s care and compassion.
9. Spending time with nature and animals
There are many ways that we can pass on our beliefs about caring for the Earth to those we love. With the Earth in the state that it is, we need to do everything we can to spread awareness among others. Here are some ideas of how you can share your love of and concern for nature and animals with the individuals in your circles.
Observe the Beauty in Nature
Go for walks alone, and with your friends and family. Observe the beauty in nature, and the diverse amount of wildlife that lives there. Find the beauty around you – whether you live near the beach, a forest, streams, or fields. Travel and see the way that other animals and wildlife live and survive. Grow to appreciate everything about the natural habitats that you see, including the climate, the flowers, and all the details around you.
Get to Know Other Living Beings
In order for someone to care about the condition that the world is in and want to help the animals and other creatures that live within in, they must first be well acquainted with them and feel that they have something invested in the situation personally.
Zoos are debated by many, but they offer a great opportunity to expose children to many animals. Most children love visiting them, and begin to feel close to them. Take your children to petting zoos, and get to know the pets of friends and family. Teach your children all about wild animals and their needs. Read books about many varieties of animals and help your children learn as much about them as you can find information for.
Observe What Has Gone Wrong
Talk about the things you see that are not positive. You may notice that there is litter in the streams that the fish and birds are attempting live in and near. Maybe you see that the flowers the animals should be feasting on have been picked by pedestrians on the trails. You may notice pollution in the air that will surely come down and affect the life of the animals that live nearby.
Talk about the Link between Our Doings and the Outcomes
Find the link between how we behave and what effect it has on the world, including the animals and all wildlife. When you are looking for it, you will be able to see the correlation between our actions and what happens to the Earth and its inhabitants because of those actions.
Observe situations such as litter in the streams, and how trash can become wrapped around the necks of birds and water animals. Things that we may not even think about can have a hugely negative effect, so we must be aware of everything we do. Fortunately, this also applies to the positive actions we take. When we do something like work together as a team to clean up a natural habitat, the animals that live there have a much better chance of health and survival.
Caring for nature and animals comes naturally to most people, but we must nurture that concern in order for it to go anywhere. Educate yourself and those around you so that you can work together to have a positive effect on the Earth. Your love for creatures big and small can go a long way.
10. Support your local food growers
In our quest to leave the smallest carbon footprint possible, we should consider supporting our local food growers. There are many reasons to do this and many benefits worth considering. Here are just a few good reasons that should convince you to give local food growers a chance.
Lessens Your Carbon Footprint
When we shop local, it is almost always better for the entire Earth. When we are carelessly buying food that is grown in other countries or even other parts of the country, we need to think about the true cost by the time it reaches our plate.
For example, if fruit is grown in Mexico and then shipped to the United States, a significant amount of fuel is used just to transport it all the way from one country to the other – no matter by which means it travels. Buying locally means that your food travels a significantly shorter distance to reach the market, and then your dinner plate.
Gives You Organic Options
Studies show the benefits of choosing organic produce, which includes higher nutrient content as well as a significantly lower amount of exposure to harmful pesticides and herbicides. When you choose to eat locally grown foods, you will have more options about what kind of food you want. When buying local produce, even the conventionally grown type often has lower amounts of pesticide and herbicide than that which is imported.
Saves Money
Because of less transportation involved and therefore lower transportation costs, buying your food locally saves you money. Depending on your connection to the farmer, it may even be possible to do some type of trade for their goods, whether it is something else that you grow or some type of service you provide.
Supports Your Local Economy
Why do we purchase food grown not only in different countries, but in different continents? By choosing to eat food that is grown in your own area, you will keep the money in your own city or community. This is good for the stability of your local economy, which in the short and long run is best for you and your family.
Good Choice Nutrition-Wise
By eating whatever foods are grown locally, this limits our choice of which produce to eat. Although this doesn’t immediately sound like a benefit, there is more to the story. Our bodies function at their peak when we are eating fruits and vegetables that are in season. Not only are the nutrients richer in produce that is grown in season, but studies show that our bodies can benefit from consuming foods when they are at their peak, instead of food that is unnaturally forced to grow despite the time of year it may be.
Supports Small Businesses
By choosing local food growers, you are supporting small businesses. Giant corporations are set up to import massive amounts of food, and small businesses cannot keep up with this. When you make a choice to buy local, your dollars are generally supporting a family to help with things such as sending their children to college or paying for their music lessons, rather than donating to a huge corporation whose profits are not personally benefitting anyone who is as reliant on the extra money.
Supporting local food growers should be one of our first priorities in our attempts to save the Earth. This list is only a beginning to the many benefits that buying local will give to you and your community. Begin now, and in time you will reap the benefits you wish to see.
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