Folks in our area live in the heart of the Appalachian mountains and are surrounded by the beauty of planet Earth. As folks who get to appreciate what Earth gives us every day, it’s important for us to take care of Mother Earth, just as she takes care of us.
Since 1970, April 22 has served as a special day for people everywhere to honor Earth, and practice a caring attitude toward the environment. As individuals, we might not be able to fix all of our environmental woes on our own, but if we work together to make better and more conscious choices about how we live our lives, we can make a change. Williamson Forward talked to GFWC-WV Williamson Woman’s Club First Vice President and local environmental enthusiast Alisha Toler about how folks can “go green” on their own.
“Going green does not have to be expensive,” Alisha says. “Use up what you have. The most eco-friendly option is always the one you already own. Use what you have until it is no longer usable.” If you keep a plastic water bottle or plastic cutlery, don’t just toss them in favor of a brand new bamboo spoon or glass bottle! After you’re finished using those and you need to purchase more, next time make your choices more environmentally friendly.
A little step, like taking your own bag to the grocery store can be a great way to live a more eco-friendly life. Alisha says. “I keep them in my car, so they are ready when I need them, and when I get home from the store, I put them back in the car, even if it means a special trip to the car.”
“A backyard garden is a great way to go more eco-friendly,” Alisha says. Keeping a garden and growing your own food, limits the need to go to the grocery store and buy produce that had to be hauled and packaged. This helps to lower your carbon footprint. Bonus: Fresh food from your own garden is always your best option!
Alisha also replaces cotton balls or squares with reusable, washable cotton rounds, which she uses in place of disposable makeup remover wipes. While you’re opting to make your toiletry cabinet more green, try swapping out for a bamboo toothbrush next time you pick one up. You can toss a bamboo toothbrush in your compost bin instead of letting it sit in a landfill for decades.
There’s so many ways you can choose to live a more environmentally friendly life. Small changes in your daily routine, planting a pollinator garden, or cleaning up litter- it is easy being green! We hope you have a chance to get outside today to enjoy nature and appreciate Mother Earth!
Happy Earth Day!
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