Disappearing Ground Water

The Environmental News Network (ENN) recently issued an article discussing the disappearance of ground water. Unfortunately, due to the careless use of water, the world's aquifers are being used faster than they can be replenished. In fact, the current rate of depletion has more than doubled since the 1960's. So what is causing this growing problem? A majority of the blame can be traced to agricultural irrigation which, accounts for 70 to 80 percent of groundwater usage.  However, the rest of the blame can be linked to professional and recreational water usages.

Even though agriculture is responsible for this disappearance of water, there seems to be little movement to change irrigation practices.  Until the day comes that these farming corporations begin to change their ways, we, as individuals can do our part to practice water saving techniques.  In the United States, we take well water for granted.  It is always on hand and always has been.  However few of us realize how much water we waste during an average day. There are a number of quick changes and alterations that we can administer to do our part in saving the world's water sources.  

Do Your Part! Conserve Water Usage.

• Check your faucets and pipes of leaks.  Depending on the size, a leak can waste from 20 to 200+ of gallons of water per day.
• Install water-saving shower heads and toilets, as well as low-flow faucet aerators. Water-saving appliances are inexpensive, easy to install and save you money in the long run :)
• Place plastic bottles or float booster in the tank of your toilet. This simple practice lowers the amount of water used per flush and can save 10+ gallons of water per day.
• Insulate your water pipes
• Take shorter showers (a four-minute shower uses approximately 20 -40 gallons of water)
• Turn off the water after you wet your toothbrush
• Rinse your razor in the sink instead of under a running faucet
• Load your dishwasher and washing machine to full capacity
• Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the fridge then it will be nice and cold when you need it and you won't have to waste tap water while waiting for it to get cold.

Click here to view this ENN article.

Support Local Farmers

Every Saturday a large crowd gathers at the local farmers market and while each individual holds their own reasons for perusing the isles, I attend the farmers market for the following reasons.  The sense of community as well as the vibrant colors of various produce radiates natural beauty, the market celebrates and influences support for local growers and buying locally grown food is good for the environment.  

I find myself to be a very observant person and the differentiation among those who attend the farmers market never ceases to amaze me.  This Saturday morning crowd, made up of people from all walks of life, radiates the feeling of a close-knit community. Walking among this seemingly ginormous family, the customers take-in a truly picturesque scenery. Vendors use their products to capture the true beauty of what nature has to offer.  Products are arranged in heaping piles that cause me to become instantly captivated.

Besides the scenery, shopping at the farmers market is a great and easy way to support local farmers.  The country is seeing a steady decrease in the amount of family owned farms.  Large corporations are taking away business and causing smaller operations to go under.  Attending the farmers market is no more difficult than going to a grocery store but the affecting outcome is much greater.

When I go to the farmers market I never leave empty handed.  Each week as I make the short three block trek back to my home I notice that my canvas bag is a little heavier than the time before and my conscious is a much lighter.   

Paper or Plastic? How about Neither?

Paper or Plastic?  This seemingly, simple inquiry is intended to provide grocers with their preference of bag, used to transport their merchandise.  The decision is usually easy as retailers and customers alike find the strong, lightweight design of a plastic bag to be ideal for carrying a variety of different products.  However, asking for the customer’s bagging preference turns out to be more of a loaded question than one might expect.  Plastic bags are harmful to the environment.  They are accountable for a great deal of litter, are responsible for the injury and death of wildlife, are non-biodegradable and continue to be a health hazard.  Fortunately this issue is receiving heightened publicity as a growing number of cities and stores are banning the use of plastic bags.    

Earlier this month ABC News ran an article, highlighting California’s failed attempt to pass a statewide ban of plastic bags. It is in my own opinion that this fight, though lost, continues to be a step in the right direction.  History has made evident that when politics are involved, nothing happens overnight.  The sole fact that this ban was even considered foreshadows upcoming change.  Assemblywoman Julia Brownley, who authored the bill, also rejects the lawmaker’s decision as being a failure.  In an interview conducted by ABC she states, “It’s not a matter of if, but a matter of when consumers bring their own bags and become good stewards of the environment.”  The fact of the matter is that eventually something will need to be done.  According to the article, California alone uses 19 billion plastic bags per year.  It takes 1,000 years to break down these bags that the average person uses for an average of 10 minutes per possession.

What will be next, banning water bottles?
One can only hope!  

Click here to check out this ABC News article.

Rethinking Going Green

It is safe to assume that almost everyone has become familiarized with “Going Green” within the past decade.  Over the past ten years the topic of going green has attracted growing publicity, and rightfully so I may add.  The world we inhabit has a fixed amount of natural resources.  That means that they will eventually become exhausted. Our population as a whole relies heavily on the many assets that our planet has to offer. Over-usage of natural materials has lead to the depletion of many resources.  Furthermore, nature’s infinite beauty has been overshadowed by our obsession with wealth and materialism.  It is time we reevaluate the situation that has been created.  We need to alter our habits and mindsets so that we can embrace a truly earth friendly lifestyle. After all, the survival of our planet rests on our shoulders.

There is only one planet earth...

There is only one you...

YOU have the authority to formulate your own

choices and thus control the type of impact you make.