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Bird breeding season is here! We recently watched baby birds grow in our backyard flower planter. Bird numbers are rapidly declining and there are several hundred species in desperate need of our help, it’s time to take action. Due to habitat loss, global warming, and the spread of invasive species, the birds really do need our help. The simple act of installing a birdhouse or two on your property is a small way to help protect our feathered friends. A birdhouse will provide shelter for nesting birds, or a bird that is passing through your area looking for a warm place to stay. Make a birdhouse with your children on a sunny Saturday and enjoy knowing that you are helping our feathered friends.
What is your favorite neighborhood bird?
Sadly, the food industry causes a significant amount of damage to the environment. The importation and exportation of food is a major contributor to climate change, for example. Fortunately, you can help to minimize the negative environmental impact by making eco-friendly choices when you do your grocery shopping.
In fact, you’d be surprised at the effect your shopping habits have on the industry as a whole. According to Stephen Troese, simple options, like avoiding factory-farmed foods, have a major impact on the environment. With this in mind, take a look at the eco-friendly foods you should be eating more of if you want to make a difference…
Garden peas have a staggering low carbon footprint, providing you buy locally sourced produce or grow your own. However, the environmental benefits of garden peas don’t stop there. When they’re growing, peas naturally fix high amounts of nitrogen in the soil. By doing so, they don’t need synthetic fertilizer, which means they can easily be grown organically. Furthermore, they leave the soil full of nutrients once they’ve been harvested.
Tomatoes can easily be grown in your garden or purchased from local vendors, which means it’s easy to find produce that has a negligible carbon footprint. Additionally, tomato plants have relatively deep roots. This enables them to obtain the water they need from deep within the soil. As you won’t need to give them much water, even in the summer months, they’re a great eco-friendly food option.
Broccoli is full of nutrients, so it’s good for health but it’s also beneficial for the environment. Producing broccoli can have a carbon footprint that’s lower than driving a mile in your car. Furthermore, the number of nutrients in this veggie means it doesn’t need synthetic fertilizers to grow and the compounds it produces act as a natural pesticide.
Potatoes are a staple food in many peoples’ diets and it’s easy to see why. Filling and versatile, they can be used to create a wide range of dishes. Luckily, they can be an eco-friendly choice too. As a relatively water-efficient crop, potatoes only need 50 gallons of water per pound. In contrast, rice requires a whopping 403 gallons. In addition, potatoes produce natural fungicides and pesticides so they can easily be grown without synthetic fertilizers.
With so many varieties out there, beans are the perfect addition to any meal and can even be used as the basis for complete dishes. Choosing locally sourced beans means they’ll have a low carbon footprint. What’s more, most beans have a very low water footprint, so they don’t require excessive watering when they’re being grown. Full of nutrients, they’re a great choice for your health and the environment.
As you can see, being an eco-friendly shopper doesn’t have to be difficult. By being aware of how produce is farmed and choosing locally grown goods, you can drastically reduce your own carbon footprint and help to protect the environment for future generations.
With the economy in its current state, you may be looking into a new career. Or, you may be starting college and haven’t decided on a career path yet. Either way, you may want to consider a “green” career? With our Earth so desperately needing a helping hand and with the green world expanding so quickly, this may be a perfect time to choose a career in the green industry. A green career doesn’t mean you have to be a scientist. There are many options available, in fact, an online University can help you find a great training program for some of your career sources. Read on to learn my 4 favorites.
1. Green Chef
Go to culinary school and train to become an organic chef or start your own green restaurant or catering business.Â
2. Organic, Bio-dynamic Farmer
You could start your own organic farm, biodynamic winery, or even start a local co-op or CSA. Â
3. Spokesperson for a Green Project
Anything you are passionate about will have a green nonprofit. Everything from birds to city parks – find what you love and make it your job.Â
4. Green Architect
More and more green homes are being built. Green Architects are playing a significant role in designing and planning new sustainable housing communities.
Are you considering a green career? Which one?
Are your closets and cupboards overflowing? Invite your friends to do some spring cleaning of their homes, closets, and garages and bring the items that they never use to a stuff swap. Open a few bottles of wine and try on each other’s clothes or swap other household finds. Your best friend may have a cocktail dress that she never wore that would be fabulous for an upcoming event you have. You might find a lamp that doesn’t match your friend’s decor but that would look lovely in your living room.
This is a super fun way to get together with your friends, have a couple of glasses of wine, and go home with a new wardrobe, fabulous piece of furniture, or a great book without spending a dime. If anything is left over at the end of the night, arrange to donate it to your local women’s and children’s shelter.