ENVIRONMENTALITY

Realigning the Relationship Between People & Planet: The Journey from Harming to Harmonizing

By Carmen Greger

The state of our planet has become a pressing issue, and we need to pay attention to the choices we make, the products we consume, and the way we treat the environment. The planet is our home, and we need to respect and protect it for future generations.

The current issues of plastics, pollution, landfills, and carbon footprint have put our planet at risk. It’s high time that we shift our perspective and start understanding that one person’s actions, whether positive or negative, does have a collective impact on the planet over time. It’s time for us to be responsible and take action to nurture and protect the planet.

Plastics have become one of the biggest concerns for our planet. Plastic waste is polluting the oceans, harming marine life, and even making its way into our food chain. The use of plastic bags, bottles, and straws has become so common that it’s hard to imagine a world without them.

The best solution to reduce plastic pollution is to reduce the use of plastic altogether. While obvious small-scale shifts are currently underway,  we can collectively on the large scale put a full-stop on plastic bags replacing them with reusable cloth bags, and swap out single use plastic bottles for refillable water bottles, and eliminate straws or replace with biodegradable alternatives.

Pollution caused by the Planet’s People is an astronomical issue that directly and toxically affects our People and our Planet. It’s a cycle moving in the wrong direction and it’s as if People & Planet are mirroring one another, a perpetual boomerang effect, but it’s not the fault of Mother Earth, but of the humans that tread upon her.

Pollution in the air, water, and soil has devastating effects on human health and the environment. Air pollution from factories, cars, and other sources is a major concern, and we need to take steps to reduce our carbon footprint. We can do this by walking, cycling, or using public transport instead of driving. We can also use energy-efficient appliances and switch to renewable energy sources like solar or wind power. Water pollution can be reduced by using eco-friendly cleaning products, reducing water waste, and properly disposing of hazardous waste.

Landfills are overflowing and negatively impacting our planet every minute on every level. Landfills produce methane gas, which contributes to global warming, are health hazards to nearby residents, impact biodiversity, leak toxins into nearby streams, lakes, and soil, are fire hazards and terribly unpleasing to the eye; they also take up valuable land that could be used for other purposes.

The best solution is to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills. We can do this by recycling, composting, and reducing our consumption of single-use items. By doing this, we can not only reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills but also conserve valuable resources.

It’s time we wake up and show up collectively to take much needed action to protect our planet and its people. Most when asked don’t know or consider their carbon footprint. Our carbon footprint is a critical issue that needs to be addressed. 

It’s time to be aware and care about the impact our daily choices make.

Carbon dioxide emissions contribute to global warming and climate change, which have disastrous effects on the planet. We need to reduce our carbon footprint by using renewable energy, reducing our consumption of fossil fuels, and adopting more sustainable practices.

This means growing and consuming more organic foods, eating more fresh sustainably grown produce and less meat, using energy-efficient appliances, upgrading to solar and wind power where available and using public transport or electric cars.

It’s crucial to understand that our planet is our home, and we need to treat it with respect and care. Our actions have reactions, and the choices we make today will have a significant impact on future generations. We need to shift our perspective and start thinking about the long-term effects of our actions. We need to embrace a positive mindset change and a deeper awareness of our impact on the planet.

There are many things we can do to protect our planet. We can start by reducing our consumption of single-use plastics, using energy-efficient appliances, and reducing our carbon footprint. We can also practice conscious consumerism and vote with our dollars to support environmentally friendly businesses, buy products made from sustainable materials, and use public transport instead of driving, when possible, or even initiating a carpool.

We can opt to take an active role in our communities by joining environmental groups, volunteering for conservation projects, and educating others about the importance of respecting the planet. Together, we can create a positive change and help recalibrate the planet to a harmonious state.

It’s high time that we take responsibility for our actions and start nurturing and protecting our Planet. Our Planet is our collective home, and we need to respect and care for it as we do for our individual homes and instead of continuing to harm our Planet, we need to holistically integrate and harmonize with it.

The future for Ours is up to Us and there’s not time to WASTE.