Every Day is Earth Day by Rasta and Lauren
Why save Earth Day for only once a year?
As surfers, we’re some of the most fortunate humans on Earth--- to know the divine pleasure of salt and sun soaked skin and to have the privilege of sliding across clean ocean water are some of life’s greatest sensations.
There may be only one Earth Day a year, but every day should be Ocean Day…
We forget about the immense importance of the ocean in our lives—what else would explain our lack of awe and reverence?
The ocean makes life on this watery planet possible. While we tend to give all the credit to trees for the fresh air we breathe, microscopic oceanic organisms called phytoplankton are responsible for creating half the air we breathe—and for helping to absorb the carbon dioxide that we release. The ocean covers 71% of Earth’s surface and contains 97% of our water.
If the ocean isn’t worth celebrating every day, I don’t know what is.
One of my favorite ocean activists, Howie Cooke, founder of Surfers for Cetaceans, likes to remind us all that there’s “Not enough time to do everything. Plenty of time to do anything. Just enough time to do something.”
One of the best places to start celebrating on Earth Day is with food--- especially thinking about how it is grown, where it came from, and what it is packaged in.
Supporting non-GMO, locally grown food (which is usually quite affordable) is one of the easiest first steps in taking some pressure off of the planet--- it can reduce green house gas emissions from shipping and trucking while simultaneously boosting local economies.
As much as 40% of food that is produced in the US is wasted--- tossed in the trash or left to spoil.
What’s healthier for us personally usually ends up also being healthier for the planet.
Around our place, we’re always experimenting and learning about how to be a little lighter on ocean + earth….
- Choose a beautiful glass bottle to designate as your favorite drinking container. BPA plastics (found in most water bottles, the lining of cans, and in much packaging) aren’t healthy in our bodies or in the ocean. Recycling is great, but consuming less is even better!
- Set up a little water catchment tank and taste test the difference between rain water and chlorinated water from the tap.
- It’s amazing how much food you can grow even in tiny spaces with a little loving care. Herbs are always wrapped in plastic and refrigerated in grocery stores. You can plant a variety of herbs in little pots that make cooking even more delicious. Homegrown food tastes better. If you can’t grow your own, then head to a farmers market and meet the folks who take the time to grow your food and learn about their growing methods.
- Compost your food scraps into rich soil instead of sending them away to rot at the landfill
- Eat vegan or catch + kill your own food to reduce environmental degradation associated with raising cattle or fish and lessen the possibility of supporting businesses that treat animals inhumanely.
Then again, you could always garden naked...Video courtesy Sanuk