How should we change our habits to help the planet?
Throughout the Trans-Amazon Expedition, all of us have been thinking about ways we are going to change our lifestyles once we get home. We would like to change our lifestyles to reduce our impact on the earth and its resources.
We've come up with a few different ideas and want your input to decide which would be the most beneficial to our planet.
Option #1: Drive less or use public transportation. Whenever we drive a car, we are emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and using fossil fuels. Scientists agree that carbon dioxide emissions are the main causes of global warming. By reducing the amount we drive (by riding a bike, walking, and taking public transportation), we'll be helping to combat global warming.
Option #2: No more plastic bags or pop/water bottles. Nearly everytime we go to the grocery store, gas station, or restuarant and buy something it gets wrapped up or given to us in plastic. Disposable plastic is designed to be used once, and then thrown away or sometimes recycled. But the problem is that most plastics end up in landfills where they take hundreds of years to decompose. By switching over to cloth bags or re-usable bags, we will contribute significantly less to landfills. Also by not buying pop or water in plastic bottles, we'll reduce our impact even further. We will also demonstrate to others how easy it is to refuse plastic bags from stores and restaurants by using our own.
Option #3: Make environmentally friendly food choices. The average piece of food we eat in the United States traveled over 1,500 miles to get to our grocery store. Whether it came on a truck, airplane, or train it uses a lot of fossil fuels to transport food. Eating food that is grown locally and/or organically can signficantly reduce our carbon dioxide emissions. Plus food that is grown locally generally tastes better, because it hasn't had to travel across the country to get to us.
We will also pledge to not purchase foods that are excessively packaged, which will reduce our trash. Eating foods that are un-packaged or bought in bulk not only save money, but they also help the planet.
Let us know what changes you'd like to see us make in our lives, and why. Also tell us what changes you'll pledge to make in your lifestle and habits to help the planet.