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Earth Day 2013

“Earth Day, celebrated on April 22nd, is a day on which events are organized globally to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the environment. It is a day when the world unites around environmental service and awareness, and as global citizens we are able to demonstrate our support for environmental protection.”

With Earth Day virtually upon us I am reflecting on my life style. I don’t know about you but the prospect of climate change I find difficult to translate into how I choose to live my life.

Earth Day

With the arrival of children I have almost put the shutters up and refused to engage. This weekend the sun shone, spring has finally arrived. As the family turned over raised beds, and planted some seeds I was heartened to realise that our tree prunings are used in the wood burner, the ash & compost to feed the raised beds, and the raised beds to grow vegetables – all pleasing cyclical.

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But this feels like small beer in comparison to a lot of people who really embrace greening their lifestyle – personally I am not about to install a compost toilet, or give up the gas central heating. I am very fortunate in that my local city has an active Transition movement, a local trust The Greenhouse which is set up to educate people about the environment, and many other active groups.

So where do these reflection leave me?? I have decided to set myself small achievable steps:

  • Always putting compostable material in the compost bin (and not the kitchen bin!)
  • Using the woodburner, and not gas central heating when a little heating is required
  • Menu plan, so as not to waste food

If you would like some fun interesting and inspiring reads re small steps to change your lifestyle why not check out Jen’s blog My Make Do and Mend Blog

or this blog for other suggestions to greening your life:)

And for activities re Earth Day for children check out family education.

What will you be doing for Earth Day?

On a final note I thought I would share this Eco Etsy team treasury, which has kindly featured one of my bags. The Eco Etsy team is a global group of eco-conscious crafters who create and sell in an eco-friendly manner.

Please do check out what other people have been up to this week over at Handmade Harbour🙂

‘eco friendly etsy tribe’ by SoulRole

100 % Eco Etsy Team Treasury!Check out these shops dedicated to living lightly on the Earth 🙂


Rectangular Bone Ring I…
$40

Pastel Antique Lace Ins…
$64

Bentonite Facial Mask -…
$5

Flower Girl Dress in Or…
$69

Eco friendly tunic dres…
$28

Surreal photography, th…
$15

The Cowl Scarf
$288

Wood Leaf Post Earrings…
$8.5

Necklace – Blue Groove …
$23

Photo Locket – Magnetic…
$24

Ivory Tower Romper Play…
$165

Alice’s Gnome Neckl…
$27.5

Unflavored Unscented Li…
$2.75

Green Recycled Shoulder…
$25

Mixed metal Upcycled Re…
$6.5

Natural Soy Candle in R…
$20

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

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The Wooden Bee (@TheWoodenBee)

Friday 26th of April 2013

Love the no food waste goal! Great post. Thanks for sharing and inspiring.

Hazel

Tuesday 23rd of April 2013

Good luck :-)

Hazel

Wednesday 17th of April 2013

Hi, I've been lurking for a while, but don't *think* I've commented yet... I've signed up to @therubbishdiet although I'm not in one of their 3 main counties, so I think slimming my bin will be my Earth Day thing this year. We're pretty good generally, but could always use some extra incentive!

I agree with other comments that the low-hanging fruit is easy to change and then it becomes a bit harder. I have found that by changing one (small) thing at a time and doing it until it becomes habit it's easier to keep the changes going. I'm impatient and want to do everything at once, but I can never sustain it.

Thanks for the links- I'm planning my Rainbow Guide programme this week, so some great ideas there!

vickymyerscreations

Wednesday 17th of April 2013

I have to admit I find it really hard, & can use less money as an excuse (re fair trade & organic food, veg box, energy supplier etc..). The only way I can do it is to focus on small steps! Thanks for commenting:) i will check out the rubbish diet, & attempt potty training!! Vicky

thethingaboutjoan

Tuesday 16th of April 2013

Love this post! I know exactly what you mean. Last year I felt like I was in an Earth Day slump. It seemed so easy a few years ago to change out your light bulbs to CFLs or to make your own green cleaners, etc. -- but now what?

I ended up in much the same place as you described in this post. I think the little steps add up to a cumulative effect of living life with the awareness of what impact my family and I are having on the planet. I really like how you've broken it down to daily steps to take (like menu planning).

Thanks much for the links to activities for Earth Day -- will have to check them out!

knitnrun4sanity

Tuesday 16th of April 2013

hmm you have got me thinking! It is so easy to get sucked in and forget about these things. I was having a discussion with a friend this morning. Ignoring the packaging is baking your own cakes or buying them the way to go do you think? I too started planning meals but it fell by the wayside. Will get back to it now.

vickymyerscreations

Tuesday 16th of April 2013

It's a very good question re cakes, if the oven is on already it maybe a different answer! I did start menu planning in an effort to save money, & it fell by the wayside!! I do think small achievable goals is the only way I can move forward to a greener lifestyle:)

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