We started with sharing about ways animal agriculture impacts the Earth, animals, and our communities. Now we’re sharing ways to take action and contribute to the international fight for a healthy and sustainable home.
Even though the information about our planet’s current state can feel really intimidating, humans have only ever accomplished anything by starting with individual action. It’s a very powerful thing to have access to education and to be able to spread it, so you’re already on a great track! The next steps are up to you, so here are some options to inspire your own environmental change. It’s important that we each consider the big and small efforts we can make within our own ability:
- Explore a plant-based diet! As we’ve learned, the animal agriculture industry has left a negative footprint on nearly all of the planet’s resources. Shifting your diet to let the government and corporate America know you aren’t okay with their behavior is one of the most powerful ways that you can make a difference. If you think community support will help you on your plant-based journey, sign up for our Explore Veg Mentor Program!
- Spread the plant-based news! Education is most powerful when shared with others. Try hosting a dinner party with friends and family, gift someone a vegan cookbook (or go for the gold and write your own!), start your own blog, or volunteer with CAA and other veg organizations. It’s important to set goals for yourself to keep accountable for your values.
- Avoid food waste as much as possible. Not only does much of the world face malnutrition and starvation, but food thrown into landfills releases a large amount of methane, a greenhouse gas more harmful than carbon dioxide. Food waste also wastes all of the resources that went into its production, like water and oil.
- Compost the food you aren’t consuming. If you have a garden at home, it will enrich your soil perfectly and feed your plants with the nutrients they’re craving. If you have access to commercial composting, you’ll be keeping a ton of food waste out of landfills that would otherwise release methane. Instead, your food can go right back to the soil.
- Opt for whole and bulk foods with limited plastic packaging. Find your local grocery stores and supermarkets that offer bulk options, and bring your glass jars and cloth bags along for the ride! Plus, bulk options are often more affordable because you won’t be paying for extra packaging.
- Try stocking your kitchen with in-season fruits and veggies. These will have consumed less energy in production than those that aren’t in-season, and they’ll also taste much better!
- Use your vote! First, make sure you’re getting out to vote if you’re able. Research candidates who have thorough climate plans and who are willing to confront the problems produced by commercial animal agriculture. If you’ve found a candidate you’re passionate about, consider working on their campaign!
- When possible, look for products that are Rainforest Alliance Certified™. This seal indicates that a company has gone to lengths to be environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable in their production process. Tea, coffee, chocolate, palm oil, and tropical fruits are some of the most common crops to be produced unsustainably.
- Join local protests that are fighting for human, animal, and the world’s rights. Seeing support for your values is super empowering!
- Continue your own research!
We have one more Earth Day related post coming up for you next week! We’ll be sharing more resources for your own research.
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