First, watch this video. It has been viewed more than 97 MILLION times!!! (Do not watch with young children around…) Here is a link to the clean version.

I feel like now, more than ever, people are seriously beginning to act on behalf of the planet. Still, I know I for one, am still guilty of prioritizing convenience over doing what is right for the earth. Here is a list of actions we can start taking right now, that can make a difference.

1. Limit our use of single use plastic products
What are they? Straws, plastic bags, plastic cutlery, plastic water bottles, plastic take-out containers, plastic wrap, etc.

This is a BIG one and really just tackling SOME of these would be a major step in the right direction. Here is a helpful article to help get us there.

We could take our own containers, like these, to restaurants.

And here is a great alternative to plastic wrap. Both can be ordered online from Bradshaws in Stratford!

2. Bring our travel mugs with us – everywhere!
I am SO guilty of this. I have actually convinced myself my tea tastes better in a to-go cup. It makes me really sad to think about how many disposable cups get thrown out everyday. Some places, like Revel, offer a discount when you bring your own travel mug.

3. Buy less stuff
Another hard one, but necessary. We do not need so much of what we buy. Especially the junky stuff that we put no thought into buying, which then serves no purpose in our life which we then end up giving away. Watch this important video – The Story of Stuff.

4. Ask the places we shop and the companies we buy from to use less plastic
This is hard but it can be done tactfully. Maybe ask your favourite shops if they are considering alternative choices for their bags, packaging and/or cutlery. Many businesses have already taken the lead in moving away from plastic to better options like wooden utensils and paper bags. I almost said something to the teenager working at Subway the other day about their use of plastic bags, but then I realized he was just a high school student and not the target audience for my message.

Big companies will listen if enough people publically raise concerns over their practices or simply buy instead from companies that are already doing better.

5. Drive less

Walk. Bike. Carpool.

These options are not always possible for all of us. But sometimes they are and maybe we could consider them more often. While many of our cities are not built to support cycling as a main mode of transportation, that does not mean we can’t do it. We just need to adopt a little more of the Dutch biking culture.

6. Compost
We can prevent a lot of unnecessary waste from ending up at landfills by composting more. We started composting by accident as the former owner of our home left the composting bin in the backyard. So, we just started filling it up! We can still do better and sometimes we argue over who is going to walk it the 40 feet from our back door to the bin. Silly. Here is a helpful guide.

7. Eat less meat
This one is hard TOO! Unless you are already a vegetarian or vegan, of course. Deforestation, methane emissions and pollution from fertilizers due to farming are significant contributors to climate change. Our family LOVES to eat meat and we will continue to eat it but we should consider eating less of it. We will also continue to buy our meat from local butchers and producers. Here is an article on this industry from The Guardian. Please don’t get me wrong, I LOVE farmers!

8. Consider our clothing
The fashion industry is a major contributor of pollution. Toxic chemicals from textile factories make their way back into our water systems and the dyeing of clothing required a massive amount of fresh water – about 200 tons of fresh water for every ton of dyed fabric.

Consider buying less clothing – especially the cheap stuff that does not last. Many companies are also moving towards sustainable fashion which means a decreased impact on the environment. Jo Gordon, owner of Resonance in Stratford, is very passionate and very knowledgeable on the subject and her store carries lots of sustainable lines.

9. Continue recycling
Let’s keep waste of our landfills by properly recycling the materials we can. You can read Stratford’s new recycling policy here. Find out what recycling programs are in your community!

10. Speak up!
I am grateful to the people who speak up, protest and fight for the future of our planet.  Just look at our Chloe at a recent protest! Justine Nigro is a great example of people who take action in our community – ask to be her Facebook friend!

Action is what matters.

Please share your ideas for reducing our impact.

And who has found the perfect reusable straw???

A bit more…WWF’s top ten list and some good news!