Greening our planet is more than a romantic notion of nature or recycling. It is a way of life, a commitment. There are so many things that can be done. These things may seem small, but when you add up all the small things you´ve greened in your life, you realize how far you´ve come and how much further you are capable of going. It is a beautiful journey. For us as parents it is very important that our children know of the world they were born into, of what it was like before, and all that is being destroyed in the name of “normal” and “comfort”. We have raised our children with an understanding of the world around them and the consequences that our action or inaction could have on the planet. We don´t use plastic, don´t eat junk food, we buy organic at the farmer´s market, have chickens and a veggie garden (among many other things). We, as a family, have consciously chosen to live this way not just for the benefit of ourselves, but out of respect for Mother Earth.
- Plastic never decomposes. Just about every piece of plastic ever made is still around today. It takes nearly 1000 years to begin composting.
- Americans generate more than 10.5 million tons of plastic waste a year but recycle only 1 or 2 % of it.
- Plastic buried deep in landfills can leach harmful chemicals that spread into groundwater.
- The world’s annual consumption of plastic has increased from around 5 million tons in the 50′s to nearly 100 million tons today.
- Next year, more than 300 million tons will be produced worldwide.
- Chemicals added to plastics are absorbed by human bodies. Some of these compounds have been found to alter hormones or have other potential human health effects.
- Plastic bags and other plastic garbage thrown into the ocean kill as many as 1 million sea animals each year.
- 24 million gallons of oil are needed to produce a billion plastic bottles.
- The federal standards for tap water are higher than those for bottled water.
I´m always looking for ways to get the children actively and creatively involved. The other day little G made our citronella cleaner all by herself, from the garden to the kitchen, and she exuded happiness. Allowing children to be a part of the change helps them feel involved in something big and wonderful. Not only being told what to do and what not to do, what to eat and what not to eat, but understanding the why, being part of the how. One of our favorites is making tote bags. My kiddo´s have even started their own little tote bag business. They draw, mama sews and then they save up for art supplies or help pay for school camp, raising awareness in the process.
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