Viridescence - be green!

 

Single-Use Plastic Harms the Environment Marine Debris - Photo Credit: National Park Service Plastic bags, straws, toothbrushes, food wrappers, take-out containers are single-use plastic items that end-up getting thrown out. All plastics are made of non-renewable resources that do not decompose making them harmful to the environment. Plastic items also pollute the ocean and cause harm to wildlife. Plastic materials are made from either crude oil or natural gas both are non-renewable resources. Because plastic items do not decompose in nature, they pile up an pollute. Did you know there are over 8 million metric tons of plastic in the ocean? And did you know that each year over 27 million tons of plastic is dumped in the landfills? Plastic pollution can harm wildlife directly and by destroying their habitat. Mistaking it for food, wildlife can ingest plastic debris. In the oceans, plastic pollution can entangle and kill marine life . Plastic pollution also damages the habitat o...

THREE EFFECTIVE WAYS TO REDUCE WATER USAGE Saving water is as easy as 1, 2, 3. One - use less water. Two - retrofit kitchen and bathroom fixtures. Three - use Energy Star appliances. We let the water run and do not even realize we are doing it. Our fixtures and old appliances use more water per minute than necessary. Read on to discover three effective tips to save water. Switch to Energy Star appliances The idea behind Energy Star appliances is saving energy, water, and preventing waste. The Energy Star seal approval is awarded to a variety of products that meet strike government standards. Products receiving the Energy Star approval include appliances, electronics, and building products. For instance, a way to reduce your energy and water consumption and costs is to switch to an Energy Star certified clothes washer . According to the EPA , Energy Star products use a quarter of the energy than a conventional clothes washer and use about a third of the water. For a list of th...

Earth Day is a day to come together and celebrate our wonderous world. This year's theme is  Restore the Earth with the hope that all people can come together to heal the planet. If you are unsure how you can help heal the planet, the following twelve suggestions are a good place to start.  12 Ways to Help Heal the Planet: Save electricity Carpool or use public transportation Use reusable bags Save water Replace lawn with native plants Use reusable containers Volunteer for a non-profit organization Avoid single-use plastic Support habitat restoration Shop wisely (buy local, eco-friendly, organic) Reduce waste (compost, reuse, recycle) Clean up pollution #RestoreOurEarth #EarthDay #earthdayeveryday #plasticpollution #climateliteracy  #takeaction #Farmers4Earth Image credit: Vallejo Community Organizations Recycling 

The Top Five Ways to Help Our Oceans Ocean pollution harms marine wildlife, threatens food safety, and contributes to climate change. Ocean pollution reduces habitat and species populations. Pollution threatens food safety by contaminating seafood with heavy metals, which are harmful to humans. Ocean pollution contributes to climate change by changing the acidity and the temperature. By following these five steps, you will help reduce ocean pollution and increase ocean health. #1 DO NOT POLLUTE Our oceans are full of billions of pounds of pollution. In fact, billions of pounds of pollution enter the ocean every year. [1] The pollution comes from many sources including street trash, beach litter, and household waste. Other forms of ocean pollution include animal waste, vehicle fluids, and agricultural run-off. Credit: NOAA #2 STOP USING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC Plastics are responsible for 8 million tons [2] of ocean pollution per year. Sadly, wildlife gets tangled or ingests plasti...

Like all other “disposable” items, the single-use face mask ends up as pollution. According to the BBC News, environmental groups are reporting that, single-use masks are being dumped outdoors by the millions [1] . These masks then become a danger to wildlife . Tragically, wildlife gets tangled in the straps of discarded disposable masks or they may swallow the straps. SOLUTION : Use a reusable facemask that you can wash and use repeatedly! And when it is time to toss it out, remember to SNIP THE STRAP ! [1] https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-54057799

(https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/climate-impacts/climate-impacts-water-resources_.html)