Small Town News

Make a difference on Earth Day

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A few decades ago, being called "green" was often meant to be derogatory. Today we hold high respect for those who live their life "green" contributing to a healthier world.

Earth Day celebrated April 22 around the globe is a reminder that supporting a healthy environment depends on individuals. One person can seem pretty insignificant when it comes to things like species extinction and climate change, but individuals hold real power when it comes to the environment.

While many trees will be planted for Earth Day, that's not really what it's all about. It's about individuals taking action to change their lifestyles, from unplugging unused appliances to fixing leaking faucets to bringing reusable bags when you shop.

In the coming decades, we face great environmental challenges and great opportunities to improve the environment. It is time to turn American ingenuity onto the environment. People around us are already finding innovative solutions.

Local wildlife biologists have been studying how animals get across Interstate 90 to design safer highways. In Is-saquah, businesses participate in waste audits, volunteers pull noxious weeds in weekend parties and more families are creating compost of kitchen scraps to use in the garden.

If we want to ensure that our grandchildren can enjoy a hike in the woods or hear a songbird's melody, we must be the difference. Don't wait for someone else to do it! Take action, one step at a time.

Drink a lot of water? Refill your own bottle instead of buying individual ones. Need groceries? Consider organic foods that keep unnecessary chemicals out of ground water and locally grown food that does not come with extensive shipping. Doing laundry? Cold water gets clothes just as clean. Going somewhere? Pump up the tires on your old bicycle.

Believe it we can change the world.



Copyright 2011 The Issaquah Press, Issaquah, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2011 The Issaquah Press Issaquah, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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