1. If you want one year of prosperity, plant corn. If you want ten years of prosperity, plant trees. If you want one hundred years of prosperity, educate people. —Chinese proverb If you want one year of prosperity, plant corn. If you want ten years of prosperity, plant trees. If you want one hundred years of prosperity, educate people. —Chinese proverb
2. Baby Steps to Better Choices Baby Steps to Better Choices Baby Steps to Better Choices
3. “ Think About It” SEEK Natural Choices CHOOSE to Drive Less FOOD vs. Food Products TEACH Children to Respect All Life Make it Yourself Eat CLEAN Foods EMBRACE Nature & Life CONSIDER Needs vs. Wants WALK Bike Bus Carpool EVALUATE Your Chemical Usage
4. Create Positive Habits What to Watch For … Good Choice the easiest change to make Better Choice these changes are easy to start, but require mindfulness to create life-long habits BEST CHOICE requires a little more effort, the best first step for making some truly significant differences Change to Consider
5. “ Think About It” Good Choice select ORGANIC alternatives for your usual grocery items Better Choice choose organic whole- food items over packaged food products (anything in its own “wrapper”) FOOD vs. Food Products Eat CLEAN Foods
6. * Know where your food is from * Keep more of your money in the local economy * Savor the freshest herbs and produce available * Reconnect with nature, the land, & your food * Enjoy the beautiful foliage you helped create – take pride in it * Plants make excellent stress-relievers, take full advantage BEST CHOICE Join a CSA, plant your own garden or container garden and utilize compost! www.localharvest.org/csa
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10. All About Compost “What Goes IN the Bin” According to the EPA Houseplants and clippings Leaves Newspaper – shredded/moistened Nut shells – crushed Paper – clean/free of grease Sawdust Tea – loose and in bags Wood chips and small twigs Wool scraps/rags Yard trimmings Cardboard tubes Coffee grounds – filters too Cotton fabric scraps Dryer and vacuum lint Eggshells – crushed Fireplace ashes Fruits and vegetables Grass clippings Hair and fur Hay or Straw
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12. EVALUATE Your Chemical Usage SEEK Natural Choices “ Think About It” Good Choice avoid toxic chemicals (Check with your local County agency about safe chemical disposal/repurposing programs) Better Choice choose gentle, natural, environmentally-friendly products like natural enzyme cleaners http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html
13. A multi-functional “miracle” product; * Excellent non-toxic household cleaner * Kills most mold, bacteria, and germs * Laundry softening agent * Safe vegetable wash * Lime scale remover * Odor eliminator * Low-impact pest and weed control http://www.vinegartips.com/cleaning/ BEST CHOICE Select alternatives with ingredients found in nature. White Distilled Vinegar
14. TEACH Children to Respect All Life EMBRACE Nature & Life “ Think About It” Good Choice reconnect with nature, simply appreciate the gift of nature Better Choice bring a bag and pick up trash while on walks / everywhere
15. * Be an active environmental steward * Establish and protect animal habitats * Place spiders outside – they have a lot of work to do * Deter ants with vinegar * Use plant-based insect repellent with protective clothing * Bring bags on walks-pick up litter (recycle at home) * Volunteer with a “green team” * Plant a tree to honor a loved one or to mark special occasions * Keep a bug-friendly garden BEST CHOICE Teach children the importance of nature through your examples.
16. WALK Bike Bus or Carpool CHOOSE to Drive Less “ Think About It” Good Choice carpooling saves gas, money, and reduces vehicle emissions Better Choice take the bus and save time, energy and reduce the stress of driving http://www.epa.gov/oms/climate/420f05004.htm
17. Be prepared * wear appropriate footwear * 5 minute warm-up walk * gently stretch muscles * end with 5 minute cool-down walk * gentle muscle stretch Get moving *Lower “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol * Raise “good” high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol * Improve blood pressure * Manage or reduce your risk of Type 2 Diabetes * Get your weight in check * Maintain strength and fitness BEST CHOICE Walk or Bicycle at every opportunity! Create an inter-office, friends, or family-wide challenge – for the “Go By Bike Challenge” Safety first! http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/walking/HQ01612
18. CONSIDER Needs vs. Wants “ Think About It” Good Choice hand-made crafts can make wonderful gifts that can be reused and cherished Make it Yourself
19. CONSIDER Needs vs. Wants OR purchase Locally-sourced HANDMADE gifts “ Think About It” Good Choice hand-made crafts can make wonderful gifts that can be reused and cherished Better Choice make and give “sew” easy reusable totes and shopping bags (a gift anyone can use!) Make it Yourself
20. * Start holiday tradition of serving food to the homeless – as a group * Volunteer with a family member, let them pick the activity * Visit with someone homebound * Schedule a gift lunch with you as a gift (why not make it a picnic lunch?) * Give gift cards – with the condition that you get to shop with the person * Make a gift certificate for one (uninterrupted) hour of your time BEST CHOICE Give a truly one-of-a-kind gift – Y O U!!! Memories make the most loved and longest lasting gifts!
21. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Restore. Reconnect. REUSE Redefine “ Disposable” as “Reusable” (Switch to Cloth Kitchen Towels) RESTORE RECONNECT Plant Seeds For Tomorrow & Repair Items to Maximize Use-life Make Time to Reconnect With Nature- Everyday ! Stop & Smell the Flowers! RECYCLE Buy Products Made From Recycled Materials & Recycle Everything REDUCE Unplug Items When Not in Use & Switch- off Entire Power-bars At Night
22. BEST CHOICE Bring Your Own Bag! * Customize for a great gift * Color coordinate with your outfit * Save a tree * Reduce pollution * Keep our oceans a little cleaner * Keep our wildlife a little safer Paper or Plastic??? Neither, thank you, I brought my own! DON’T BE A DRAG … BRING YOUR OWN BAG!!!
23. It’s all about baby steps … We didn’t get where we are over night. It took centuries to evolve to our current way of living. With each new generation, we simply sought to improve our lives. Our parents and grandparents may have touched on “conservation,” but, most likely, it was more economic based than environmental based. We pretty much got here without even realizing what we were doing. Thankfully, we are now realizing the far reaching effects of our life-style choices and daily activities. We must start taking the sustainable baby steps necessary to maintain life and to leave something positive for future generations. Whatever your first baby step is, just make it.
24. If it’s all about baby steps … what are the next steps? What are more benefits of eating organic and/or whole-foods? http://www.organicconsumers.org/organic/polyphenolics031203.cfm http://www.sierraclub.org/truecostoffood/ What else should I know about CSAs? How do I find one in my area? http://www.localharvest.org/csa/ What else can I do in my home to improve indoor air quality? http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35698 http://home.howstuffworks.com/low-voc-paint.htm How do I find a “green” volunteer group in my community? www.volunteermatch.org Where do I start if I want to drive less? (see what Oregon state is doing) http://www.drivelesssavemore.com/driving/ (from slide #18) http://www.1world2wheels.org/go-by-bike-challenge What other ways can I simplify holidays and birthdays? http://planetgreen.discovery.com/work-connect/rethink-holiday-traditions.html http://www.greenplanetparties.com/pages/GreenPartyTips.htm www.celebrationforest.com How can I start a recycling/composting program in my community? http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/partnerships/wastewise/index.htm (click “Partner Support”) Find all these links and more at www.BabyStepstoBetterChoices.com – click on “Think About It!”
(BE VERY DRAMATIC AND ANNUNCIATE EACH POINT) There is a simple and beautiful Chinese proverb that goes like this … If you want one year of prosperity, plant corn . If you want ten years of prosperity, plant trees . If you want one hundred years of prosperity, educate people . Information is one of the most powerful tools available to humans … and we are the only ones to posses all of the components necessary not only to process information, but to make positive changes based upon that information. Most of us know that changes need to be made, but few are sure where or how to start … WE are going to start with “Baby Steps.” NEXT SLIDE
Today’s presentation will explore some low cost and immediate impact actions anyone can start right away. These easy-to-do tips will inspire you to take the necessary Baby Steps to Better choices to a more sustainable life. NEXT SLIDE
Think about it… our daily choices make all the difference in the world. This presentation highlights some baby steps anyone can take to make a positive environmental impact … from the food you eat, to what you clean your house with, to taking time to share nature with children, to exploring alternate transportation options, as well as redefining needs and wants. NEXT SLIDE
This presentation provides Baby Step ideas with “good,” “better,” and “best” options so you can decide what works for you, at your own pace. The big circle houses the change to consider , while the small circle offers a simple way to create positive habits . The “Good” or purple box is a good place for anyone to start and it’s the easiest change to make. The “Better” or orange box is the next step better than good. These changes are easy to start, but require mindfulness and deliberate actions to create life-long habits. the “Best” or green box is , well … the BEST way to make a big impact. This may require a bit more effort and may take some time to make it part of your daily life , but this is the best step for making some truly significant differences. Embrace these tips at your own level. The ultimate goal is to create life-long habits . NEXT SLIDE
Better Choice – switch from packaged food products to certified “organic whole-foods” wherever possible . You can trade packaged snacks for organic celery, apples, carrots, bananas, grapes, and the like. By choosing whole organic foods, we not only reduce chemicals in our body and the environment, but we also reduce the garbage that we create every day. (SMILE) (ELABORATE VERBALLY OR TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO USE PROPS …) Simply stated, “whole food items” include anything in their own “wrappers” or purchased as close to its natural state as possible. A pound of strawberries would be considered a whole-food item. Strawberry pie is a food product because strawberries are only an ingredient of the final product. NEXT SLIDE
BEST CHOICE – Joining a local CSA “Community Supported Agriculture” will provide you with fresh, organic, seasonal food AND you automatically contribute to the local economy and environment at the same time! If you like to get your hands dirty … plant a garden or join a community garden. If you are a landowner, start a community garden. If you do not have enough yard space for a garden, try a container garden instead. In addition to supplying organic herbs and produce, container gardens provide an excellent opportunity for urbanites to reconnect with, and truly appreciate, nature and its delicate balance. All the while providing beautiful foliage, stress-relief, and a sense of pride for what you created … with a little patience, effort, water, love, and sunshine! Enhance the benefits even more – throw a “harvest party” – share your bounty with neighbors and loved ones – who doesn’t like delicious food and a party? (SMILE) NEXT SLIDE
Compost can maximize your gardening impact – according to the EPA “Environmental Protection Agency,” 23 percent of U.S. waste is comprised of yard clippings and food scraps … just think about it … that is huge! According to the EPA Web site: Compost enriches and rejuvenates soil by boosting the nutrient content as well as increasing soil moisture retention. Composting creates a healthy foundation for beneficial microorganism growth. It also inhibits plant diseases and pest presence; which reduces chemical usage naturally and encourages greater harvests. NEXT SLIDE
Compost actually helps prevent pollution. Reducing landfill contributions by composting biodegradable materials reduces methane production in landfills. Compost averts polluted storm-water runoff from making contact with surface-water sources. And it wards off erosion and silting, in addition to reducing turf loss. NEXT SLIDE
Using compost offers economic benefits as well … Utilizing the rich humus created by compost can reduce use of water, fertilizers, and pesticides. Compost is a low-cost replacement for current landfill cover and synthetic soil enhancements. Composting redirects biodegradable material away from the waste-stream, effectively extending municipal landfill capacity. In addition, compost presents a low-cost option to the current process of cleaning contaminated soils. NEXT SLIDE
Now that we’re clear about some of the benefits of composting, let’s cover “What Goes IN the Bin” according to the Environmental Protection Agency: *Cardboard tubes – from toilet paper, paper towels, and rolls of food wrap like foil and waxed paper *Coffee grounds – filters too, plants love this stuff! *Cotton fabric scraps – right down to the smallest threads *Dryer and vacuum lint *Eggshells – crushing helps the shells break down faster *Fireplace ashes *Fruits and vegetables – scraps and peels too *Grass clippings *Hair and fur *Hay or Straw *Houseplants and clippings *Leaves *Newspaper – shredded/moistened *Nutshells – crushed *Paper – clean/free of grease *Sawdust *Tea – loose and in bags *Wood chips and small twigs *Wool scraps/rags *Yard trimmings NEXT SLIDE
Since we’ve covered what goes IN … it’s also important to understand “What NEVER Goes IN the Bin” *Animal-based products such as dairy like butter, egg yolks, milk, sour cream, yogurt, OR fats (lard, grease, oil) and actual meat or fish (as well as any bones or scraps) – which attract undesirable pests and creates unpleasant odors. *Black walnut tree leaves, twigs, chips, or bark – releases potentially plant-detrimental substances *Coal or charcoal ashes – potentially harmful to plants *Diseased or pest-ridden plants – diseases and insects can survive composting * Pet wastes (canine and feline feces as well as soiled litter/paper) – pet waste has the potential to negatively contribute parasites, bacteria, germs, pathogens, and viruses which can be harmful to humans *Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides – because pesticides can kill beneficial composting organisms NEXT SLIDE
Think about it … what ever we clean our homes with goes down our drains and lingers in the air we breathe. The EPA’s studies have identified, both in rural homes as well as homes in areas of high industrial concentration, around a dozen common pollutants (PAUSE) and concentration levels were 2 to 5 times higher inside the homes than outside!!! EVALUATE your chemical usage by taking inventory of what you have. Replace the toxic chemicals with natural or plant-based alternatives. Good Choice - AVOID all toxic chemicals whenever possible – if the bottle has a poison warning label on it, do you really want that in your home? Be sure to check with your local County agency about safe chemical disposal/repurposing programs. Better Choice - choose gentle, natural, environmentally friendly products – enzyme cleaners are non-toxic, fume-free, all without phosphates, acids, or petroleum! This means it is safe for your home, pets, family … and the planet! NEXT SLIDE
BEST CHOICE Make the effort to seek out cleaning alternatives that contain ingredients found in nature. White distilled vinegar makes an excellent non-toxic household cleaner; it kills most mold, bacteria, and germs. Vinegar is considered a multi-functional “miracle” product; one container provides a wonderful laundry softening agent, a safe and effective vegetable wash, a lime scale remover and odor eliminator, as well as a low-impact pest and weed control. If you plan to use vinegar to clean your home, please note that vinegar causes some metals to rust – be sure to rinse and thoroughly dry all metal surfaces after cleaning. NEXT SLIDE
Think about it … life provides life … EMBRACE nature and all life forms TEACH children to respect life … set good examples; our children are watching us, they will grow up to be like us. Good Choice - reconnect with nature, appreciate the gift that sustains our lives. Spend time outside, even just a few minutes each day – feel the sun on your face, appreciate the breeze caressing your skin, if possible bring a blanket to rest on the grass. Stay calm if a bug lands or crawls on you – they are not really interested in you – gently place them on the ground and let them get back to work! (SMILE) Better Choice - bring a bag and pick up litter while on walks – everywhere you go. Sort the trash from the recyclable items at home and be sure to always wash your hands after! (SMILE) NEXT SLIDE
BEST CHOICE - protect and stand up for creatures in need, set good examples; accompany children on exploratory nature walks, instill in our children why it is vital to protect and to nurture ALL of our planets’ inhabitants. Be an environmental steward Establish, respect the benefit of, and protect animal habitats. Carefully take spiders outdoors vs. killing them. Deter ants with vinegar vs. toxic sprays, and protect yourself by using plant-based insect repellents WITH your protective clothing. Bring bags on walks – recycle at home. Volunteer with (or create) a local “green team!” Plant a tree in a loved-ones honor for special events like births, holidays, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations. Learn about and share the differences between beneficial and invasive insects in the garden – and maintain a bug-friendly AND child-friendly garden! NEXT SLIDE
Think about it … according to the EPA, every gallon of gasoline burned produces approximately 8.8 kilograms (or 19.4 pounds) of carbon dioxide/CO2 regardless of how many miles per gallon your vehicle gets … EACH gallon used ADDS another 19.4 pounds of CO2 to our atmosphere. At very least, we can reduce our dependency on foreign oil by driving less. So whether you prefer to WALK, bike, take the bus or carpool, every mile that you CHOOSE to not drive … does our world a great service! Good Choice – Carpooling saves gas, money, and resources, and reduces vehicle emissions Better Choice – take the bus whenever possible and save time, energy, and reduce the stress of driving. NEXT SLIDE
Best Choice – walk or bicycle at every opportunity. Taking your bike or opting to walk provides clear benefits for the planet, and, according to Mayo Clinic, there are also many health benefits associated with walking specifically – as long as you are prepared – by wearing walking-appropriate footwear, warm-up with a five minute slow walk, follow that with a series of gentle muscle stretches, end your walk with 5 minute cool-down walk and repeat your gentle muscle stretches. Benefits of walking include: *Lower the “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol *Raise the “good” high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol *Improve blood pressure *Manage or reduce your risk of Type 2 Diabetes *Get your weight in check *Maintain strength and fitness NEXT SLIDE
Think about it … slow down for a minute … consider just how truly blessed you are in your life today (PAUSE – count to five) no matter how good or bad you think you have it, there is someone that is much worse-off than you are and there is someone else doing better than you are. That is the way it is and always will be. So, at what point does the life you have become “just right” for you? CONSIDER needs vs. wants … and redefine your priorities. We tend to go overboard when it comes to gift-giving, try keeping it simple. Good Choice – Hand-made crafts can make wonderful gifts that can be reused and cherished and are sure to be more special than “something off the rack.” NEXT SLIDE
Better Choice – Make and give reusable tote bags and shopping bags. If you are able to … make the gift yourself – whatever it is; a meal, a scarf, a picture frame, a personalized gift certificate … OR, if you are not a crafty person, purchase locally-sourced HAND-MADE gifts at craft fairs. NEXT SLIDE
BEST CHOICE Give a truly one-of-a-kind gift – Y O U!!! * Start a new holiday tradition of serving food to the homeless – as a group activity * Volunteer with a family member, let them pick the activity * Visit with someone that is homebound or ill * Make a card “gifting” lunch with you (how about a picnic?) * Give gift cards – with the condition that you get to shop too * Make a customized gift certificate for one hour of your time-whenever * Memories are the BEST GIFTS!!! NEXT SLIDE
REDUCE “water issues” … save money and energy by using COLD water for the laundry vs. hot water. Catch water in rain barrels and use for your garden … for free, place a brick in a toilet and use less water with every flush – both options save water and money. Reduce being “over charged” – unplug any electronics when not in use (toaster, coffee maker, TV and entertainment systems, and phone chargers) use fans instead of using the A/C (only cool the rooms being used). REUSE by redefining disposable items as reusable, buy natural fabric hand- and kitchen-towels; save money and trees. If you must keep paper products on hand – choose ones that offer unbleached and recycled paper content. RECYCLE – Buy Products Made From Recycled Materials. Be sure to recycle your unusable items (electronics, clothes & toys) to resale shops or charity. RESTORE - Take Care Of Your Stuff to extend it’s life! (regular maintenance on your car, regular cleaning of your furniture and wood floors. RECONNECT - The Best Things in Life Are Free …Enjoy Them! Take some time to smell the roses with your family. Go for a walk with the family and make a game out of who can find the first rose. NEXT SLIDE
Who has the time and energy to spend wrestling with whether we should select paper or plastic to carry our goods? Both paper and plastic bags have a huge environmental impact. Of course, reusable bags have an environmental impact as well, however, they are able to be REused significantly more times than paper or plastic. Reusable bags are: Customizable for a great gift – decorate with iron-on family photos, personalize with a favorite poem Color coordinate with your outfit – just for fun … feel good about the bags, they will be easier to remember Save a tree, reduce pollution, keep our oceans cleaner and our wildlife safer (PLAY WITH THIS SENTENCE … HAVE FUN WITH IT) Don’t be a drag … bring your own bag! (WINK? AND SMILE) NEXT SLIDE
We didn’t get where we are over night. It took centuries to evolve to our current way of living. With each new generation, we simply sought to improve our lives. Our parents and grandparents may have touched on “conservation,” but, most likely, it was more economic based than environmental based. We pretty much got here without even realizing what we were doing. Thankfully, we are now realizing the far reaching effects of our life-style choices and daily activities. We must start taking the sustainable baby steps necessary to maintain life and to leave something positive for future generations. Whatever your first baby step is, just make it. NEXT SLIDE
If it’s all about baby steps … what are the next steps? There are books, Web sites, movies, blogs, and magazine articles that offer more information than we can cover here today. Find all these links and more at www.BabyStepstoBetterChoices.com – click on the “Think About It!” title. NEXT SLIDE
