When you are enjoying time outdoors with your family this summer, whether its in your backyard, at the shore, the mountains or your local park, take a few minutes to “smell the roses” and remind yourself and your children that we can’t take our beautiful, natural places for granted. We need to protect and preserve our natural treasures, so future generations can enjoy them as well.
Three Dos and Don’ts from Climate Mama, please share your favorites with us!!
Three things you can do THIS summer to help in the fight against climate change:
1. Try making 1 in 3 BBQ’s this summer, MEAT FREE (or go for as many or as few as you like but try out at least ONE and see where it leads…!) While this might seem “counter” to the American Family BBQ, it’s all really just a matter of what you are used to – it’s the 21st century and time to shake up old traditions and keep up with current times! Did you know that according to the UN Food and Agricultural Organization, meat production accounts for nearly 1/5 of all human caused greenhouse gases? If each of our families cut out meat just one day a week from our regular routines, think of the significant impact we could have, not only on climate change but on heart health as well!
Try BBQ’ing veggies and fruit that you get from the local farmers market or from your own garden. Enjoy veggie burgers, or sustainable fish burgers. There are great recipes, you just need to look or ask a friend. The California Monterey Bay Aquarium website has some great “sustainable seafood recipes” as well as free lists, pocket and mobile guides which recommend sustainable seafood to buy, as well as which seafood to avoid; download yours today! Surprise your kids with grilled watermelon and pineapple – drizzle chocolate sauce on top! Let us know your favorite meatless BBQ or picnic recipes!
2. Ants on the loose, inside – try some “natural” cures. Each spring, along with pollen, sunshine, flowers and ladybugs, many of us in the Northeast get tiny black ants invading our homes! Here are a few natural cures that have worked for us and for some of our friends, cures that are non-toxic to kids and pets. Try vinegar in a spray bottle, mint leaves, cayenne and black pepper and white chalk lines; all placed inside, near the points of entry where the ants are getting in. Remember that pesticides inside and outside the home are linked to water and ground pollution, as well as health and allergy issues including ADHD in children as well as autoimmune diseases in adults.
3. Picnics in your backyard, on your balcony, at the beach, while on a hiking trip, camping in the mountains or just hanging out in your local park; all of these scenarios seem to imply the necessary use of disposal dishes and cutlery. Why is that? According to The Clean Air Council Americans toss out enough paper & plastic cups, forks and spoons every year to circle the equator 300 times! So, invest in some dishes that you can use on your picnics, outside on your deck or when you are on the beach or on a hike; but find non-breakable dishes and cutlery you can use, again and again. Not only will you be saving money on disposal products, you will be reducing waste in landfills and showing the kids in your life that caring for the environment is important to you. Check out takeoutwithout.com, a project of our April Climate Mama, Lisa Borden. Lisa provides some great information and alternatives, not only for your picnic, but also for those Sunday night dinners when you order take out as well!
Let us know what you tried, share your Dos, your Don’ts and your successes with us!
