EarthCare: Doable Actions for a Healthier Planet
What does Compassionate/Nonviolent Communication (or NVC) have to do with the health of our planet? NVC cultivates life-serving awareness of needs like health, safety, peace, vitality, fairness, balance, and compassion; and seeks to meet these needs through peaceful and doable actions.
With this intention, NVC invites us to embrace the interconnectedness of everything, including the health and vitality of this extraordinary place we live in. There are many simple ways we can help support planetary health. Even small actions have a big effect when we consider the combined power of our community. We are sharing tips and events that can help us learn new actions we might take and remind us of ones we’d like to continue. Our focus will be to offer doable tips; even small actions make a difference!
Doable Actions
As we suggest EarthCare Doable Actions in our newsletters, we’ll compile the actions here as well for a complete reference. Do you have any tips you’d like to suggest? Email them to bryn@compassionatecenter.org. Also check out The Environmental Center for more tips, helpful information, and opportunities to participate in projects and events.
“Showers account for roughly 20 percent of total household water consumption. And water is just the start of it. Your shower burns energy, too. Just under half of a home’s hot water is used for showering.” …
Here’s an easy way to always have a takeaway container with you when you go out to eat, plus a shopping bag for those unexpected trips to the store: …
Many of you know that I’ve developed a keen interest in creating good tilth for my garden this coming spring. I’m super jazzed about what I can do to foster a healthy biome in my own backyard.
Recently, I read how food waste contributes to global warming. … When I gave it some thought, I realized that I wanted to be part of the entire process of building good soil. I want that hands-on experience.
But how do you compost in the middle of winter? You build a worm farm! …
“To fight climate change, OSU researchers push novel plan: Educate more girls, eat less meat.” …
We try to limit our use of one-time plastic containers, especially those hard plastic clamshells that contain various specialty greens and cherry tomatoes. We struggle with this because the food appears to remain fresh and in better condition longer in the plastic clamshells. Argh! …
How is it that so many of the regular tasks of life like washing our hands, brushing our teeth, showering, washing the dishes, and doing laundry involve water? …
“What if you knew you could be part of the solution to climate change—and that you could save money in the process?” …
World Vegan Day is observed on November 1st each year. It marks the beginning of a month-long celebration of veganism …
Sen. Jeff Merkley, recently worked with Rep. Jared Huffman to introduce the bicameral Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act …
According to a recent report from the EPA, “Food waste comprises about 24 percent of municipal solid waste in landfills.”
Happily, luckily, and gratefully, many cities and local organizations in Oregon have started curbside services to help turn food waste into compost. …