Creating New Habits to Help Mother Earth

It has been about a month since the United States began "staying at home" and many countries entered a state of lock down. With less people commuting, limited flights in the air and restrictions on boat activity, the air pollution has significantly decreased all over the world.

"Two weeks after the nationwide lock down was announced on March 23 in the UK, NO₂ pollution in some cities fell by as much as 60% compared to the same period in 2019. NASA revealed that NO₂ pollution over New York and other

major metropolitan areas in north-eastern USA was 30% lower in March 2020, compared to the monthly average from 2015 to 2019." - World Economic Forum

Most NO₂ comes from road transport and power plants, and it can worsen respiratory illnesses such as asthma. It also makes symptoms worse for those suffering from lung or heart conditions. Many of us have taken to outdoor activities like jogging and biking and are enjoying nature in its new pure state. I think we can all agree seeing the wildlife enjoy their natural habitats without restrictions or fears really does bring joy to our hearts.It is truly the largest environmental experiment and the first time so many people are making a positive impact on the environment without even realizing it . But soon, we will all be back at work, traffic will build up and the environment will likely be back w

here we started.

With more time at home now, there is opportunity to establish new habits that we can keep when life returns to normal and social distancing rules are lifted. Below are a few things we can do now and in the future that are simple enough to establish at home and can also make an impact on our environment. These 4 steps won't cost you much and might even help you save money! You will also be doing your part in reducing your carbon and energy foot print.

1. UNPLUG APPLIANCES

I know it can be hard to remember to unplug you TV and I am not expecting you to unplug your oven or fridge. But you can unplug things you only use once a day. For example: phone chargers, coffee machine, desk tops or laptops, hair dryers, air fryers, etc.

2. RECYCLE

This one is so obvious right? Reduce Reuse Recycle is one phrase we all know but 79% of the plastic used in the U.S. is not recycled and is sitting in landfills. So if we all know we should, why don't we recycle? The question is not rhetorical...ask yourself, "Why don't I?". Something that has helped me is to have two separate bins in my kitchen and that reduces having to sort when its time to take out the trash so that I can place it in its respective bin hassle-free.

Items that should be recycled:

• Paper including newspapers, magazines, and mixed paper;

• Cardboard (OCC);

• Glass bottles and jars;

• Rigid plastic products;

• Metal containers, including tin, aluminum, and steel cans;

For a list of less common items that are not recycled but should be, click here.

3. CUT BACK ON WATER

This doesn't mean you should stop showering, but we can always be more conscious of how long we leave water running when we cook, brush our teeth or are doing yard work. You can also do a home check and fix any leaks you may have or unnecessarily running toilets. It could reduce your water bill and your carbon emissions.

"By using less water, we don't need to treat and pump so much water, so less money needs to be spent on energy, chemicals and on additional reservoirs or boreholes. Reducing the amount of energy used in the pumping of water reduces our carbon emissions, which contributes to greenhouse gases, and leads to climate change." - Energystar.gov

4. OPEN YOUR BLINDS AND WINDOWS

During cooler times, open your windows or balcony/yard doors and let air flow through your home. Considering we're entering summer, you might want to save this one for winter. For now, you can also open up your blinds during the day and not use your in home lights. Replacing light bulbs to LED can help you save energy. Side note: they also last forever. In the evenings, turn off lights in the rooms you're not in and opt for using lamps instead of home lighting.

5. EAT LESS MEAT

I know this one is probably the hardest to adjust to. But it has to be said and it is a harsh reality. Our buying choices affect the farming industry, and right now factory farming is in overdrive.

"Livestock consumes over 1.3 tons of grain each year, billions of gallons of water, and contributes to mass deforestation. It affects our environment by releasing compounds such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and methane. "

If one person, stops eating meat it will likely not make a big difference but if communities start moving forward to a more plant based diets, it can make a difference. But that's a story for another day.

There you have it! Just a few things you can do this week to do your part in helping the only home we have. The better we treat our environment, the more we will be able to enjoy it. Something I have learned during this month of staying at home is that I am glad we have this amazing earth that we can walk, bike, catch some rays and bask in for free.