Since last year, the main stream media ( in EU) finally picked up environment and climate change and thematised it. We hear on daily bases about the fires in Siberia and Amazon, the poles melting, the plastic saturating our seas..It is difficult not to feel overwhelmed with all the information and I have decidedly limited my daily intake of news. This does not mean I am not doing an effort to do my part in protecting our planet. For my family’s and friends and future grandchildren’s sake.
On a global level, I sign petitions to support the Youth Climate marches and choose to voluntarily support environmental projects.
On community level, I take initiative to keep our streets clean of garbage (emails to the commune, discussions with local cleaning team and neighbouring school), promote organic and locally produced food in my kids daycare (succeeded!) and kindergarden (through parents associations). I bring awareness through social media on ways to reduce co2 footprints by choosing vegetarian regime, sharing the beauty of our seas through my sisters videos to trigger emotions and willingness to make a life style change. I raise awareness among my friends and neighbours about limiting waste, eating healthy. I teach yoga to bring happiness and serenity in my surroundings. I secretly wish those intelligent ladies in powerful positions will make the right decisions for us all after the weekly meditation😇 Oh, and I am waiting for my certification from the US to instruct kids yoga too. They will be blessed to learn to center themselves from young age❤️
On individual level, we recycle our plastic, paper and glass. We by organic vegetables, cereals and milk. We have let go eating meat, eat little fish and even then select only sustainably sourced fish. We have introduced vegan concept of eating. We have little food waste and freeze left overs. We reduce water bill by showering kids only every second day 😄 We no longer use plastic bags and have bought food covering and sandwich wrappings made of washable tissue instead of plastic. We sell our clothes and furniture in second hand and get lots of kids clothes from friends and relatives. Next Monday, we will finally get the 16 sun panels on our roof to save energy. We select train to travel whenever possible, whether in Finland or in France. To my children, I explain about the importance of protecting our environment, to save energy and water. I am thrilled to notice they already are peaceful protectors of our Mother Earth. My 4 year old son commenting with disgust, why dad took a car instead of bike to go do groceries..yes, the time will come for a hybrid, but we are not yet there my dear❤️
I tell myself we need to be optimistic for our children’s sake and start making changes where we can: on personal level. Young brave Greta Thunberg, you are not alone, we are backing you!is
