Living Green Living Green
Information based on the book 50 More Things
You Can do to Save the Earth published by The Earth Works Group, 1991
1. Support the world's rainforests: Every time you buy cashews, brazil nuts or products using them like Ben & Jerry's rainforest Crunch, you are creating demand for rainforest products. The money you spend will help native people care for and protect their rainforests. Check these links for more information on rainforests and other environmentalist organizations:
2. Plant a greener yard: Grow your own vegetables and share with the neighbors. You can also create a butterfly garden to attract more butterflies-one of nature's most beautiful pollinators.
3. Stand up and be counted: Noted sociologist Margaret Mead once said "Never doubt that a single person can make a difference--Indeed it is the only thing that ever has." Take a look at today's issue and see if it is something you can support by writing a letter
4. Put the lid on the greenhouse effect: Our atmosphere is getting warmer due to increased levels of the gas CO2 just like sitting in a car with the windows up on a hot, summer day. To reduce the greenhouse effect, we all need to do our part to reduce our use of energy and materials that release CO2. Take the CO2 challenge if you dare!
5. Clean Up, Clean Up!: Do your part--please don't litter. Put trash in its place and recycle what you can. Help keep your yard and neighborhood clean by picking up wrappers, scrap paper, and other trash you see on the ground.
6. Keep Informed: Click here to check out the latest news on environmental issues in our country and around the world.
Butterfly
GardenLike other insects, butterflies transport pollen from plant to plant. Every year, hundreds of millions of monarch butterflies migrate from the Rocky Mountains to the California coast and back again. According to the Audubon society, this migration is threatened by deforestation in Mexico and land development in California. You can help butterflies in your area by becoming a butterfly expert and restoring the plants they need to survive. See what types of sweet flowers and plants attract these beauties. Check out your library, the web, or the book The Butterfly Garden by Matthew Tekulsky.
Write
a Letter Protect the Mojave PreserveMojave National Preserve, created in 1994, is a hotbed of biological diversity. It is home to more than 700 plant species, the world's largest Joshua Tree forest, and 200 animal species, including the threatened desert tortoise and bighorn sheep. It is now under pressure by human developers. Senators Reid and Bryan and Congressman Gibbons of Nevada have introduced bills to authorize the sale of public lands just outside the preserve to become the site of a large cargo airport. This airport would be located only 10 miles from the preserve and will eventually be converted to a passenger airport to serve bustling Las Vegas. Please let your representatives in the House and Congress know that you value the preservation of Mojave more than a new airport. Please make sure to address the following points:
Send your letters to:
| The Hon. {name of your Congressman} U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 |
The Hon. {name of your Senator} U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20510 |
Reduce the amount of CO2
you release into the atmosphere by 10% over the month. You can achieve this goal by
using
energy-saving light bulbs and by turning off electrical appliances when you are not using
them. Limit the number of unnecessary car trips made. You can keep track of your progress
using the following chart. Fill in STEP 1 and Step 2, then click on the total arrow.
