Eating with the Environment (and Climate) in Mind: Do Something Wednesday

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On Earth Day, we launched our first Earth Day Challenge, a full week of “daily” challenges, that gets us thinking about what we eat, where it comes from and why we need to be mindful about many of the things we in the developed world often take for granted. Check in with ClimateMama each morning to see what the next day’s challenge will be. Remember to have a quick family meeting at breakfast or dinner to discuss the daily challenge and see what the kids in your life have to say about it.

What did the kids in your life think about “Meatless Monday” and “Take Care of Yourself Tuesday?”

Today, “Water Wednesday” is a day to think about not only the water we drink and where it comes from, but also what

we drink it out of, as the proliferation of water drinks in the developed world is an increasing and growing trend. Our friends at the Plastic Pollution Coalition have some interesting information for you to share with the kids in your life about where all the plastic we are using, including that found in single use beverage and water bottles, ends up and why we should fight to prevent this overuse of plastic in our lives! For some relevant facts and information about water access around the world, check out our World Water Day post. A few more facts about water to share with the kids in your life today from the US Environmental Protection Agency:

Only 3% of Earth’s water is fresh water. 97% of the water on Earth is salt water.

The water found at the Earth’s surface in lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, and swamps makes up only 0.3% of the world’s fresh water.

68.7% of the fresh water on Earth is trapped in glaciers.

30% of fresh water is in the ground.

1.7% of the world’s water is frozen and therefore unusable.

Water covers 70.9% of the Earth’s surface.

Water can dissolve more substances than any other liquid including sulfuric acid.

Along with oxygen and sleep, we need water. We need between 9-13 cups of water per day because we lose water through breathing, perspiration, and urinating. There are many issues with bottled v. tapped water. Depending on where you live, you may or may not be able to drink water straight from the tap instead of buying it from a bottled source. As extreme weather becomes more common place around the globe, droughts and flooding impact our access to and the reliability of fresh water. These may be some of the issues you want to discuss with the kids in your life today.

Tomorrow is Try a New Recipe Thursday

You’re almost done with the workweek; why not try something new? Our intern Michelle tells us that she “admires vegans because in a world that is slowly progressing toward abstaining from eating and using animal products, it is not always easy to get a salad over an omelet or a sandwich without meat.” Vegan food and markets are not yet nearly as accessible as mass produced meats and chickens. Refresh your memory and reread Monday’s challenge, where there were many reasons why veganism benefits the environment. One of Michelle’s favorite vegan treats is Chai Latte Muffins: Here’s the recipe. If you’re looking for a full vegan meal try this one!

Remember to visit GreenMomster and one of our favorite Climate Mamas, Desiree, every Friday for quick and easy “meatless” recipes.

Yours,

Climate Mama

Eating with the Environment in Mind was developed by one of our wonderful interns Michelle Aboodi.