Let's consider this Valentines' Day on caring for each other and the environment over consumerism of gifts

by Diana Hardacker, British Columbia Independent Editorialist

As Valentine’s Day approaches I think of my loved ones. Advertisers are encouraging us to give them gifts. If you truly love them you will give them the greatest gift of all, a happy and healthy future. How can you do this you ask? You can learn about global warming and how it is changing the climate. Human activities have caused warming to accelerate at an unnatural rate so that the earth's inhabitants cannot adapt quickly enough. In simple terms, we are polluting the planet beyond its ability to cope. Check, LINK

So what can an individual do? Firstly remain hopeful. Secondly reduce your own carbon emissions. You check out, LINK. To see how you are currently doing. There are many other carbon calculators on the internet, just "Google" carbon calculator. It is very interesting to see how your total lowers dramatically when you exclude air travel. The two most significant changes you can make are 1. no air travel 2. food choices: buy organic, buy local, and avoid processed and packaged food.

There are many other things you can do that also make a difference:

1. Fight for green spaces. Trees clean the air we breathe.

2. Change your light bulbs to compact florescent bulbs.

3. Replace your lawn with drought resistant plants. Using a gas mower for one hour is the same as driving a car for 500 km.

4. Shop less. Over-consumption is hard on the planet. Watch, LINK.

5. Whenever possible walk, bike, use public transit or carpool.

6. Wear and use second hand. Reduce first, reuse second, recycle third.

7. Share. See, LINK, an internet venue for the exchange of goods free of charge.

8. Build green. If you’re remodeling or building, source local materials as much as possible. Think about the carbon footprint of everything you use. Go for low-level manufactured products. And consider how the things you build today will be recycled 20 years from now.

9. More than 60% of energy used is in the house. Insulate your home. Turn thermostat down or off. Take showers not baths, short showers. Run the dishwasher only when full. Only do full loads of laundry.

10.Teach your children well. They are watching you and they will follow your example. The time has come for us to make changes for the ones we love, to protect their future.

Become a Member:

Would you like to see other similar articles and critical commentaries in The Canadian National Newspaper? Then, show your support. Make a member-pledge donation, in support of the Membership Drive of the Pro-Democracy Media Foundation.

The Canadian can only continue to publish investigative articles in such areas, with the donations from members of the public in Canada, the U.S., and abroad. Consider making a donation of $50.00, $75.00, $100.00, $200.00 or more. Donors are eligible to receive our first collector's print edition in mail. Alternatively, you can send us a note to be placed on our special email list of members. Member-donors can also suggest articles or commentaries to be published in The Canadian.

The Canadian is a socially progressive and not-for-profit national newspaper, with an international readership. We provide an alternative to the for-profit commercial focused media, which often censors vital information and perspective of potential interest to the diverse Canadian public, and other peoples internationally.

Become a member of The Canadian, with your donation-pledge. Help support independent, progressive, and not-for-profit journalism.