What You Can Do Now - Help the Earth Heal as We Protect Ourselves from the Coronavirus

Help the Earth Heal as We Protect Ourselves from the Coronavirus

Environmental Forum

As we are housebound with our loved ones to prevent the spread of coronavirus, we should think about what we can do to help the planet heal.  Here are projects you can start now:
 

• Try new plant-based recipes – growing whole grains, fruits and vegetables uses less water and land, emits less pollution, reduces waste by-products, and is less destructive to the top soil.  

 

• Reduce food wastes - make soup stock with your vegetable scraps.

 

• Compost – we’re running out of landfill space. About 20% of the waste in landfills is food waste. Composting also puts the carbon back into the soil.

 

• Read instead of streaming – we all have books on our shelves we had planned to read.  This is the time to do it instead of streaming or reading on your electronic devices.  Reading does not require additional electricity.

 

• Be an informed voter – the election is just months away. Learn about your candidates’ positions on issues. Look for online town halls and other opportunities to interact with political candidates. Support those who will take action to heal the earth.

 

• Spring cleaning - use a combination of natural products that you likely have at home - alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, vinegar, lemon. Disinfect cleaned surfaces with a bleach solution of 2 tablespoons of bleach in 1 quart of water (or 1/3 cup of bleach in a gallon of water). Allow the surface to air dry.  Bleach water should be made fresh daily.  CAUTION: Do not mix bleach with any cleaning products (for example, vinegar) because these combinations can generate toxic chlorine gas. 

 

• Switch to Green Power – if you haven’t done so, contact your utility company and sign up for electricity generated from renewable sources.

 

• Share your stuff – as you’re cleaning out your house, decluttering and eliminating duplicates, set things you no longer need aside.  You can share them with your family or donate to someone who may use them when the pandemic is over. 

 

• Volunteer - PACG forums and other community organizations are continuing to do their work online. The Environmental Forum is holding monthly meetings online via Zoom. 

 

• Do eco-friendly activities – check the link below for eco-activities for all ages.

 

• Start a garden exchange - spring is here. It's time to plant a garden and exchange seeds and plants with your friends and neighbors.  Continue to practice social distancing by  dropping these items off at their doors. 

 

• Keep moving - stay-at-home does not mean we have to be indoors all day. Take a nature walk or bike ride. Remember to maintain safe social distancing of at least 6 feet from other people. NOTE: Stay-at-home orders may change in the future and walks or bike riding outside may not be advisable. Follow directions from your local health authorities.
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  For more details check here:
  https://www.earthday.org/11-actions-for-the-planet-during-a-pandemic/

Susan Leuthauser