Earth Day: Let’s Talk Climate + Change
It’s Earth Day! You know, the day to love Mother Earth? It seems that now more than ever is the time to celebrate the planet and highlight ways we can help it thrive. As noticed, there are many changes that are occurring on our planet from weather pattern shifts to the state of glacial sheets in the Artic. While it may seem like gloom and doom some days, today is not the day…luckily, we have one day a year to reassess how our choices are impacting the good old green and blue sphere and revise them for the better!
Today, we want to talk about what is leading to the everchanging state of the Earth and ways to counteract the bad with simple, small changes that can be done daily to help out–Since it may seem all encompassing to single-handedly change the fate of the planet. We’ll guide you through the two leading causes of climate change, a cool invention that benefits the world and daily living tips to minimize your carbon footprint!
First things first: Let’s talk consumption patterns. While we aren’t trying to convert anyone to a vegetarian or vegan diet, we’d be at a loss if we didn’t mention the way diet and lifestyle plays a large role in the overall role of climate change. In studies done comparing the diets of vegans and vegetarians to non-vegans, it was found that the non-vegan diet required 2.9 times more water, 2.5 times more energy, and 13 times more fertilizer than the vegan diet (1).
Where do these numbers come from, exactly? Well, let’s break it down. The first order of business is that cattle need land to graze on, and food to eat. Their choice of food is grain aka feed which takes up land and water resources to grow. This, in turn, is the first area of water consumption. The second, is the water that they need to drink to stay hydrated. With there being 20 billion cattle to the 7 billion people on the planet, these resources add up (2). So, cutting back on meat even just to once per week will limit the usage of these resources. On a more dramatic note, it has been shown that if everyone were to go vegetarian we’d cut emissions by 44% by 2050, so imagine what less meat would mean! (3)
The second major source of impacts on Mama Earth come from no place other than your beloved car. Zoom Zoom. We’re sure that we didn’t surprise you there though, right? Cars are a huge modern day convenience and we too know their needed role in daily life. Yet, they are affecting the climate. Studies show that cars and other modes of transportation contribute 1/5 of the United States global warming pollution and have been held responsible for the increase of .6 degrees Celsius in global temperatures since before industrialization took place. (4) To save some fuel emissions, cut back on the casual driving and opt to carpool!
Nevertheless, while these two factors may seem overwhelming at first, fear not. Luckily we are a smart bunch of people and our creativity always prevails. Aside from the onset of recycling, green entrepreneurs are popping up everywhere to help combat the effects of modernized living. From living in tiny houses to minimize waste to adding solar power to our roofs, green living is a major way to help. One invention that caught our attention is the sustainable shoes that Reebok just created called “Cotton + Corn” which can be composted after use rather than thrown out to litter landfills. Pretty cool, right?
Another way to reduce your footprint, in a less fashionable way, is to switch up your habits! Our favorite way? Through cooking versus ordering take out and making our own tea blends rather than grabbing a cup from Starbucks! The best way to ensure yummy meals is through using herbs and spices. Here at Piping Rock we have a variety of options to choose from! From bulk Rosemary Leaf Whole Organic for an Italian dish—think, homemade pizza—to chamomile for a soothing tea blend, you’ll find that buying bulk saves money, time and most importantly: resources! You’ll make the Earth super proud.
So even if just for the next week, celebrate Earth Day by trying out these small changes and see what it’s like to do so! We promise you’ll feel like you’re giving back and will also love knowing the impact you’re having is helpful.
Health & Happiness,
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