What is Environmentalism?
How to create a balance in an unbalanced world.
Whether you are a believer in Climate Change - or you’re resigned to call it “God’s cycles” - there should be no argument about caring for the Earth, picking up trash, reducing the amount of non-reusables like single use plastic bottles and bags. All of that sounds so tedious, but there are a lot of fun things that happen to coincide with environmentalism also. Things like going for a walk (and who wants to breathe in polluted air, right?). Riding your BICYCLE! Planting a nice garden and maybe even eliminating your lawn altogether.
Other simple things you can do:
Pack your own lunch and don’t forget to bring your flatware
Bring your own shopping bags
Stay hydrated with your own reusable water bottles (and caffeinated with your reusable coffee cups!)
Buy compostable garbage bags
Compost your food waste
Mulch your own leaves and twigs instead of bagging it (put it in the compost bin!)
More ideas? We want to know!
Click on a link below to learn more about Environmental Justice programs in Austin, Texas!
Although not directly named an environmental organization, keep in mind there are a number or non-profits that contribute to a healthy environment like bike programs, water programs, and other pollution stopping program. Yellow Bike Project, for example, upcycles old bikes. They sell them, but they also have Earn-A-Bike programs where you can get bikes for free while learning how to build and maintain bikes! Bike for the whole eco-family! They were Austin’s original bike share program - all community driven from the start!
Need to learn how to ride a bike? Allan Dunlop has been referring people nationally to League Cycling Instructors (and other certified cycling instructors) for years at The Center for Cycling Education. My friend, fellow Austinite, and LCI, Doug Ballew introduced me to this very thoughtful organization right before the pandemic. On that note, the Healthy Streets initiative made it so nice to ride on car-less streets at that time and so many more people wanted to learn to ride.
Of course, you can always go to Bike People and The League of American Bicyclists for your cities environmental rating and more!
Books about Environmental Justice
Children’s and YA Books on Environmental Justice
This Book Will Save the Planet
Alicia and the Hurricane, A Story of Puerto Rico
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind