Why Should We Care About the Environment? by Laura Boyd 
Ever notice how during recent years, words like “green,” “global warming,” and “organic” appear to jump out at you everywhere from billboards to grocery stores? Kind of makes you wonder if all the marketing and ad executives fell into some crazy time warp and got transported back to 1975, when similar verbiage was commonplace. It seems more likely, however, that an environmental movement, which has been gaining momentum for the past few years, has finally crested, resulting in our current predicament. And while most of us are familiar with some type of eco-friendly practice or policy designed to lessen our impact on the environment, many people still wonder why we should take the time to care about things like recycling, water conservation, and organic farming. In other words, while most of us agree that practicing good environmental stewardship is a necessity, some questions still remain about our motivations for doing so.
The truth is, everyone has their own ideas and opinions as to why we should or shouldn’t care about the environment, which can sometimes be a source of extreme divisiveness on the topic. But regardless of these differing viewpoints, some things are indisputable. Take for example, one simple yet highly significant fact: Everything we consume is derived from the earth, including the air we breathe and the water we drink. For those who may be familiar with the classic children’s book The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, the idea of sustainably using our resources is not a new one. Even for those not familiar with it, common sense dictates that when you depend on something, it’s in your best interest to ensure it is well taken care of. You wouldn’t expect continue to drive your car without doing maintenance would you? Altruistically speaking, let’s also keep in mind that we are but temporary inhabitants of this wondrous planet, and what we do today affects those that will inherit it from us in the future.
“Every day is Earth Day”--Unknown How can you personally make a difference? Believe it or not, this is actually the easy part. Each and every one of us can make simple changes in our lifestyles that will have profound, positive effects on the environment, though sometimes not immediately noticeable. Let’s go over some ideas, ranging from big to small:
1. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle! This handy hierarchy, commonly referred to as the "3 R's", is useful as a guide, ranking desirable actions in terms of importance. The first suggests that we simply consume fewer goods in general. Secondly, we should find more use out of something before throwing it away, and we’re all familiar with the third. Unfortunately, there seems to be more focus on the last step rather than the first.
2. Choose native plants for your gardens. Not only are these species already adapted to whatever type of ecosystem you live in (they require no extra care such as fertilizers or watering which will save you money in the long run), but they also help retain the landscape’s original character.
3. Turn the water off while you brush your teeth -- running water is wasted water.
4. Eat less meat. While we’re not suggesting that you eliminate all meat from your diet, eating less meat cuts down on the amount of land being used to for grazing, not to mention the amount of grains and other resources that go into the production of just one pound of meat. Try eating more fruits and vegetables instead.
5. Volunteer. Find a local organization or chapter that hosts activities such as waterway cleanups, habitat restorations, and monitoring sea turtle nesting sites. Set aside a few days out of the year to participate in these. Maybe even make it a family event!
Many of you may also notice that engaging in lifestyle changes that are good for the environment also turn out to be good for your pocketbook.
A friend once asked how it was possible for someone to be environmentally responsible when we already unwillingly engage in so many environmentally unfriendly activities on a day-to-day basis. While this may feel like the case sometimes, having this type of attitude will only result in feelings of inadequacy or inability to change. Instead, just do what you can, because little things DO add up to make big differences and in the end, it’s our surroundings that keep us happy and healthy.
