Valentine's Day Gifts For The Planet
Valentine's Day gets a bad rap, some of it deserved, but at its heart, it's all about sharing love. Instead of exchanging valentines between the kids at my daughter's school, they're giving handmade valentines and appropriate edible treats to the resident animals, including turtles, a bunny, and more. Lovely, right? It made me think about other ways to show love for nature. Here are a few suggestions.
Get out of the house and into nature: It's that time of year, depending on where you live, that it can be hard to muster up the will to go outside. Yet spending time outdoors is one of the best things we can do for our daily health. And letting our kids explore nature in different seasons helps their cognitive development and helps instill an appreciation for nature.
Consider how you travel: Travel, especially by airplane, is one of the most significant contributors we as individuals make to the climate crisis. While I'm impressed by the people who have taken and continue to take flight-free pledges, it's not possible for my family this year. Still, I continue to evaluate how and why we travel and how to make it better for us, the planet and the communities we're visiting.
Eat less meat: The most impactful single dietary change you can make to reduce the carbon footprint of your food is to reduce your meat and dairy consumption. Consider going vegan one day a week and talk to your kids about how food impacts the planet.
Waste less food: Speaking of food, wasting less food is another powerful way to reduce your carbon footprint. Start a creative leftovers night where you and your kids take some time to look into your fridge, considering what might soon go bad and come up with a way to use it.
Find a solution for one single-use item: So many of the products we use every day are designed to be used once and thrown away. Have your kids identify one of those items and then work to find an alternative. For us, it's paper towels. I've tried to get into those Swedish Dish Towels, but they don't seem to work well for us. At a recent visit to my local zero-waste store, though, I found some alternatives that I'm trying. Sometimes you have to try, try again to find the solution that works. A valuable lesson to teach our kids. Next up on my list might be finding a better floss.
Help a neighbor: Building resilient communities is essential for overcoming the climate crisis. One way to create strong communities is by routinely helping out and connecting with neighbors.
Plant something: I’ve been daydreaming about spending time in my yard once it gets a bit warmer. Last year we planted a couple of apple trees and a raspberry bush. But even if you don't have a yard or it's simply too cold to plant anything right now, you and your child can start growing basil or another herb on the kitchen counter. Or instead of gifting a loved one the traditional flowers, why not give a potted plant or seeds?
Attract wildlife to your space: If you have a backyard, make a bird feeder or find another way to rewild your area by adding a bat house or making a plan to plant some pollinator-friendly flowers in the spring.
Move your money: Money is powerful, so where are you putting yours? According to a 2021 report, 60 of the world's major banks have provided $3.8 trillion to fossil fuel companies since the 2015 Paris Agreement. Check out how your bank performs and research options that don't provide fossil fuel financing.
Go for a walk in a neighborhood park or beach and pick up any trash you see: Sign up for a beach or park clean up day or start to get into the habit of bringing some gloves and a bag with you when you take a walk on the beach, collecting and throwing away any bits of plastic you find.
Talk to others about what you're doing: We need systemic change to solve the climate crisis. Talk to your friends and family not only about what you're doing but about climate advocacy.
Pick one thing: It's so easy to get caught up in the overwhelming number of things we can do for the planet, and then before you know it, you haven't done anything. Pick one thing from this list and do it this month.
I hope your Valentine's Day is full of sweetness,
Bridget
Published: Some climate change experts are choosing to have children. These are the reasons why for Insider, Chef Adrienne Cheatham Shares Her Very Sensible, Low-Stress Approach to Weeknight Dinner for Martha Stewart and How To Emotionally And Physically Prepare Your Child For College for The Day Magazine.
Reading: I just finished The Lamplighters by Emma Stonex, which was full of surprises, including the ending, which left me with so many questions but not in an annoying way. Next, I'm looking forward to starting Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson.
Working: On a piece on keeping bees at home for Modern Farmer and a story on the Science Moms working on climate solutions for Parents.