Five Ways to Say "Happy Earth Day" in KC
Eat local. According to the Center for Urban Education for Sustainable Agriculture, the average American dinner takes a 1,500-mile journey to get from the farm to your plate. Large-scale, long distance food transportation consumes a vast amount of fossil fuel, while pumping huge amounts of carbon dioxide pollution into the air (not to mention, most food is either heavily processed using irradiation and preservatives to stabilize it for transport or is picked before it is ripe and gassed after its trip to help it “ripen”).
Do your part to support the local environment and be in touch with your food sources this Earth Day by celebrating, locavore style! Take a family outing to a nearby farmers market to procure as many items on your grocery list as possible. The hardest part may be choosing which farmers market to visit, because Kansas City is home to more than 30, ranging from small establishments with exclusively organic wares to the impressive City Market which is home to more than 140 local vendors that sell any number of items from fresh produce to homemade baked goods, soaps and even live animals! After purchases are made, call a family meeting to discuss what each family member would like to grow this year through gardening. Even urban dwellers with limited yard space can put their green thumbs to the test through container gardening or investing in a local community garden. End the day with a celebratory meal at one of Kansas City’s premiere farm-to-table establishments, such as Renee Kelly’s Harvest or Urban Harvest.
Reduce waste. The Natural Resources Defense Council indicates the average American throws away 20 pounds of food each month, resulting in roughly 40 percent of edible food’s going to waste in this nation. Almost all food waste ends up in a landfill where it produces methane, a greenhouse gas 21 times stronger than carbon dioxide. When considering all the water, energy and chemicals it takes to produce and transport food items, it becomes clear there’s more than a wasted meal on the line. Do your part to reduce waste by avoiding impulse buys and saving leftovers at home. Make creative recipes with leftover pantry items. Build a compost bin and put food scraps to work, producing rich soil that’s ideal for your garden.
Clean green. How many toxic chemicals do you think reside in your home? One? Five? Ten? You might be surprised to find out the average household is home to more than 62 toxic chemicals. Yikes! From synthetic fragrances to phthalates to harsh fumes from appliance cleaners, toxic chemicals are everywhere, leaving many under constant exposure. While manufacturers argue that contact with trace amounts of toxic material isn’t all that concerning, continued exposure to multiple sources can add to the body’s toxic burden (that is, the amount of chemicals within the body’s tissues) and ultimately lead to serious conditions. In fact, ingredients in common household cleaners are linked to reproductive disorders, cancer, asthma and neurotoxicity, as well as hormone disruption. Because no federal regulation is involved to ensure chemicals in cleaning products are safe for consumers, it’s best to read labels and avoid toxic ingredients altogether. A myriad of alternative products have popped up in the market recently, but be aware that simply branding an item as “natural” or “green” doesn’t guarantee an item is actually nontoxic.
Have your kids take a stab at how many chemical cleaners they think may be in the house, then go on a hunt together to find as many as possible to purge. And don’t forget: just because something smells good doesn’t mean it’s good for you. Parrafin-based candles, for example, are known to be carcinogens that release fumes as dangerous as second-hand smoke. Don’t just dump items along with your regular trash service. Household items that are ignitable, corrosive or reactive are considered hazardous waste materials and need to be disposed of accordingly. Contact your trash service for appropriate disposal. Lastly, replace harsh chemical products with eco-friendly homemade ones concocted from combinations of vinegar, baking soda and essential oils.
Save energy. Put natural resources such as the sun, wind and rain to work, not waste. Collecting rainwater is an ancient practice that’s experienced a renaissance recently, and for good reason. After all, why pay to use municipal water for your garden and landscaping when you can use free, safe rainwater that flows down your roof? Installing a rain bucket is simple and prevents untapped water from otherwise picking up dangerous chemicals as it flows down gutters, streets and storm drains. Line-drying clothing can save big bucks while greatly reducing one’s carbon footprint. The average American household dries more than 400 loads of laundry a year, costing roughly $120 in electricity bills. By line-drying half of the time, a family not only saves $60 a year but also produces 1,150 fewer pounds of CO2 emissions! Clotheslines come in many forms, including retractable varieties that take up little space when not in use. Lastly, you don’t have to have a solar home or even solar panels to enjoy the benefits of solar power. Small solar devices are becoming increasingly popular ways to utilize renewable energy. Consider a solar charger for your phone or laptop to save money and make a difference in the environment.
Get outside. Earth Day is all about delighting in the beautiful planet we call home. It only makes sense that the best way to spend it would be outdoors! Turn off all the electronic devices and unplug for the day. Go for a walk, hit the bike trails, pack a picnic or play at the park with your kids. Being out in nature provides a fresh reminder of why we should be so vigilant to protect it!
Olathe mom and freelance writer Lauren Greenlee plans to celebrate Earth Day by hitting the Indian Creek Trail with her family.