Why Bother Being Eco-Friendly?

With most of us leading chaotic lives full of personal obstacles and responsibilities, we are forced to choose what is most important to us to spend our time and energy on. We often prioritize family, friends, education, money, sometimes pleasure or relaxation. We balance these with more specific aspects of our lives, and once you put all of that together, our plates seem full. Balancing all of these responsibilities as well as our sanity can prove difficult, and often frustrating. Where is there room for things like environmental consciousness?

The truth is, there’s room everywhere. The environment is everywhere, and so are opportunities to appreciate and protect it.

Contrary to the what many people think of as “environmentalism,” a good portion of eco-friendly efforts can be simple, and will require little to no extra effort on your part. When a bulb burns out, replace it with an LED; you’d be replacing it anyway. Put your recyclables in a separate bin. Take shorter showers, turn off what you aren’t using, buy food in bulk, carpool more often. These steps are easy, and typically more cost-efficient.

And if everyone did them, our world would be a much better place.

And that’s really the main goal. Different people have their own reasons for their beliefs and lifestyles, but environmentalists are generally just looking to create a better world and a better future. I’m sure you’ve heard all about climate change, pollution, and perhaps even environmental racism. Every paper you recycle and every bulb you switch is a stance against them. And that’s just the beginning.

This blog is meant for everyone, from the curious reader to the hardcore environmentalist. I will provide many ways to make lifestyle changes, from easy to difficult. The more you change, the more you are telling society that you don’t accept its value of waste. You don’t have to tolerate incredible amounts of plastic in our oceans, or the extinctions of hundreds of species, or any other environmental issue that might be on your mind as you read this. The act of the individual may seem small, but it is critical. You are a crucial part on the path to change.

Why bother? Because our children and their children and their children’s children deserve a planet as beautiful and alive as the one we have now. Because every day poor communities are unfairly affected by pollution and health risks and food insecurity. Because it is so ingrained into our society to put the economy above all else, we have turned our eyes from the damage we’ve done, including the damage to our own kind.

Because you have the chance to make a difference. This planet is our life source, and when it comes to saving it, it’s now or never.

This can seem overwhelming; I’ll admit that I definitely feel that way sometimes. But do not be discouraged. It is okay to fail sometimes, or lose your way, or feel unsure. Any efforts to take steps to be more environmentally conscious are positive. I haven’t been perfect in my journey towards respecting the environment, and neither will you be. And that’s okay.

I encourage you to join me on this journey. I began because I love this Earth, and I love the people on it. Whether you’re here because you want to change the world, you want to protect your loved ones, or even if you just want to save some money on your electricity bill: welcome. I’m happy to have you, and so is our planet Earth.

What are you reasons for being eco-friendly? Comment them below!