| After the Bali Climate Summit there was proof | | | | hardest to find recycling receptacles at Recycle |
| that governments can be slow tools for vital | | | | Centres. |
| social change. Many scientists have proved climate | | | | As a rule of thumb, if you don't have a way of |
| change; the few sceptics have slunk off into the | | | | recycling an item them look for an alternative. |
| night. What few people can agree on is how we | | | | 4. Eat Organic and Less Meat |
| could or should tackle it. | | | | I have to confess that my favourite meat is |
| One way is to simply exercise the Power of One. | | | | beef. But cattle and sheep do create a lot of |
| Individuals can make a huge contribution to a | | | | methane and that does not help the ozone layer |
| healthier environment by simple actions and | | | | or the polar ice caps. So I try to have it as a |
| strategies adopted as a daily routine or habit. | | | | treat and opt for sustainable fish and organic |
| Here are seven actions that you can adapt and | | | | poultry instead. |
| incorporate into your own daily life. It is important | | | | Organic vegetables and meat are not subject to |
| to do these feeling empowered. It does no one, | | | | pesticides and herbicides which are tied to the |
| or the planet, any good if you only do things out | | | | petro-chemical industry. They not only save on |
| of guilt, shame or remorse! Those are not | | | | depleting natural resources but they enhance the |
| feel-good emotions. Environmental actions need to | | | | environment. Organic vegetables thrive on healthy |
| feel good and be a positive statement against | | | | soil; healthy soil fosters produce with more |
| despair. Think of these actions as small deposits in | | | | minerals and vitamins than conventional produce. |
| an environmental bank that your grandchildren and | | | | UK scientist recently proved this. Organic food |
| future generations will be able to draw upon. This | | | | really is healthier, not just for the planet, but for |
| is a great legacy to leave! | | | | the consumer. |
| 1. Do you Really need to make that Journey? | | | | 5. Read the Food Label - Is it Local? |
| Get strategic about journeys. Carpools are great | | | | Food miles, the distances that food has to travel |
| for routine runs. Where we do not always see an | | | | to get to our plates, has lengthened considerably |
| opportunity is with journeys that are a greater | | | | in the past two decades. If you don't have a |
| distance. Think of all the tasks you might need to | | | | garden to grow some of your own organic |
| do - a visit to the library, running a pet to the | | | | vegetables, patronise local organic market |
| vets, shopping requirements, dentist appointments. | | | | gardens, vegetable box schemes, or farmers' |
| Try to cluster these activities to one central area. | | | | markets. |
| Then be logistic when making appointments so | | | | Read the labels in the supermarkets for the |
| that you need only one car run. | | | | country of origin. Buying produce grown in your |
| Use reciprocity. Ask friends or relatives if they | | | | own country is not only patriotic and supporting |
| need anything when you are going to take a | | | | your home agri-economy, it supports the planet. |
| journey to accomplish appointments or tasks. | | | | Last of all, maybe we need to fall out of love |
| Going to the dump? Do they have any items that | | | | with exotic ingredients that come from across |
| will fill the car? Think carefully. People will | | | | the world. Revive national cuisine and use local and |
| appreciate being asked and your saving them a | | | | seasonal produce. I am not talking seasonal in |
| journey. They, in turn, will think of you and return | | | | California when you live in Ireland. I am talking |
| the compliment. | | | | about eating what can be grown in your own |
| 2. Plant a Tree - or a Forest Even! | | | | country and in season - for your own country or |
| Carbon offsetting is a way of paying your carbon | | | | region. |
| debt to the environment. You can visit many sites | | | | 6. Switch to Renewable Sources of Energy |
| that will help you figure out what level of | | | | Many of us has switched to low energy light bulbs. |
| offsetting you need to be doing. You need to | | | | Others consider slapping solar panels on their roof. |
| take into account your daily commute to work if | | | | That may not be an option if you rent your |
| you drive instead of using public transportation, as | | | | home or have not got the cash to invest in that |
| well as business and personal flights. In Ireland, for | | | | home improvement at the moment. You might |
| instance, I can visit and they can tell me how | | | | be able to do that in the long term but there is |
| many trees I need to plant each time I fly home | | | | something everyone who pays an electricity bill |
| from Dublin to visit family in New York. | | | | can do. |
| The simplest way to offset your carbon | | | | You can switch to a provider who generates your |
| emissions is to plant trees. Since Ireland is the | | | | electricity from a renewable resource. Here where |
| most deforested country in Ireland, I have a | | | | I live, we have a number of wind turbines that |
| number of choices. I can purchase a tree through | | | | generate electricity. We switched to the major |
| [ who will plant on my behalf in a forest project. | | | | provider in Ireland, Airtricity. Every country and |
| In the past though I have purchased trees as | | | | region will have a company offering this |
| presents for people who have the space and land | | | | alternative. Shop around! |
| for trees. It makes an unusual gift that keeps on | | | | 7. Strut your stuff while you walk the talk |
| giving. | | | | Cotton is the most heavily, chemically treated |
| 3. Packaging - Bin It! | | | | crop on earth. The next time you need to replace |
| Spurn plastic carrier bags and get reusable ones. | | | | a pair of socks or knickers, consider buying |
| Ireland brought in a tax levy on plastic bags that | | | | organic cotton ones. There are also organic |
| has helped de-litter the countryside. Get a pretty | | | | bamboo and silk/wool combinations if you prefer. |
| cloth, hemp or raffia bag. If it is eye-catching you | | | | Mail order is a real boon for shopping for organic |
| won't forget it. | | | | clothing. Get online and find a provider that is |
| When you are out shopping avoid getting fruit or | | | | relatively close to home. That means if you live in |
| vegetables in plastic containers. Look and see if | | | | the USA finding someone in the USA using USA |
| the plastic can be recycled. If it doesn't say so on | | | | organic cotton if possible. For Europeans, that |
| the label then opt for products in glass. Go easy | | | | means sourcing organic cotton from Turkey or |
| on foil and canned products as these can be the | | | | Egypt if you want to cut down air mileage. |