Environmental Sustainability
"Environmental sustainability is development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." - World Commission on Environment and Development. Our Common Future. (1987).
The U.N. and other organizations are doing their part, but what are you and I doing?
I'm educating myself about simple things I can do to reduce my carbon footprint (the impact you have on your environment). You can calculate your carbon footprint by clicking here.
COMPOSTING
Composting is "the decomposition of plant remains and other once-living materials to make an earthy, dark, crumble substances that is excellent for adding to house plants or gardening" (vegweb.com). Composting is a really easy way that everyone can become involved in environmental sustainability. Not only does it cut down on a family's garabage output but it is so rich in nutrients that it greatly improves a garden's output. And when done correctly, it does not smell!
I recently attended a composting fair in Ithaca, NY that taught fairgoers how and what to compost. Imagine my surprise when I learned that they make compost toilets!!! (I don't know that I'll be installing one anytime soon though).
See the handel to the right? After doing your business, you throw some peat moss (see bag to right of toilet) on top; the moss eliminates odor and increases composting output. You then turn the handel and after a period of time the bottom tray pulls out and you have fresh compost! The women that I met at the fair had used this toilet for 6 years.
This is "the cadallic" of composting. It is in three sections. Section 1 (far left) is the fresh compost items like banana peels, apple cores, newspaper... Section 2 (middle) has been composting for a little while longer than Section 1. Section 3 (far right) has been compoting the longest and is most ready for gardening use.
This is another compost bin. You turn the bin each day so the current day of the week is on top.
Me trying my hand at another type of composting bin at the fair. The holes in this bin allows the fresh compost to fall into a catch tray below.
Leave No Trace
With all my hiking and time spent outdoors, it is critical to know how to be in an area without impacting the natural environment.
"The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is an educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to the responsible enjoyment and active stewardship of the outdoors by all people worldwide."
Leave No Trace offeres worshops and information about being outdoors as well as easy changes you can make in your daily life to better planet earth. The offer many free resources for environmental sustainability.