They Paved Paradise

© Copyright 2024 Fran Carey, All Rights Reserved.

"and put up a parking lot", in the words of Joni Mitchell. The song makes the point of "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone". Those of us who work with Nature are aware of what we've got, and that it is in danger of being destroyed right now in our lifetimes. Here are a few things we can do to help, as well as organizations through which we can effectively throw money at the problem.

Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Try to avoid overpackaged foods such as frozen dinners, individually portioned snacks, and produce prepackaged in bags. Use reusable grocery bags,and don't put things like apples, bell peppers, and oranges in plastic bags. You kinda gotta wrangle green beans somehow. Buy nuts, dry fruit, dry beans, and larger grains like rice in bulk, using reusable canvas bags. You may pay a few cents more because the cashier doesn't know how to tare a scale, but it's worth it, right?

Some things you think can be recycled can't, so check with your local recycler or go to https://www.wm.com/us/en/recycle-right/recycling-101 for answers about what is a no go.

You can also reuse a lot of things. Think crafty, and repurpose food containers to non-food uses, calendars to wall art, dryer lint and bath tissue cores to fire starters. Wine bottles can be dry goods storage or candle holders, greeting cards make wall art or bookmarks, and egg cartons are terrific sorters for small items like buttons or earrings.

Always think is this packaging/product/trip really necessary? Batch errands so you are making a big loop to the bank, the gas station, the grocery, rather than a lot of out and backs. Consider gift giving in the form of donations to a cause that is meaningful to the giftee rather than giving them something else to dust.

Here are some charities to which I donate. I have checked them with charitywatch.org or heard of them from someone who I trust has done their due diligence:

• The Nature Conservancy. You can actually touch what they do for us. They found parks, help get protected status for wild areas, and help restore habitat damaged by humans and natural events such as hurricanes and floods.
• Trust for Public Land. They also help protect sensitive areas by means including helping states buy land for parks and develop those lands with environment and sustainable recreation in mind.
• American Rivers. They work to remove dams and restore river health nationwide.
• Planned Parenthood. Supporting reproductive health for women and girls, they provide medical care for women and girls, sex education, and help victims of sexual assault, as well as standing up for a woman's right to make decisions about her own body.
• Alzheimer's Association. This charity provides support for families and care givers of those suffering this condition, as well as funding continuing research into causes and treatments of the debilitating disease.
• American Diabetes Association. Providing counseling for those living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and research dollars for cure, prevention, and treatment.

There are dozens more legit charities out there, and dozens more ways to help prevent the destruction of our only place to live. Think twice. Save a planet.

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