Even if we don't have a lot - we have a lot to be thankful for! This month is all about giving thanks, and showing gratitude for our amazing planet. Every effort, no matter how small, goes a long way - it's time to spread the word! Our planet is in need of our attention, our gratitude, and our love. Let's do our best to minimize our impact on the environment this holiday season.
This month we provide tips on how to have a resourceful holiday and give back to our planet as well as some climate updates. Let's be thankful that our planet is OUR HOME!
For those of you new to the scene, a quick catch up... we’re looking to our community of friends and yogis to consider adopting new environmentally friendly changes each month for 12 months. Keep the suggestions and efforts coming and we'll add them to our list.
Join our force of concerned yogis that can change our minds and therefore, anything.
::: BE THANKFUL :::
Earth provides us with all our needs. Consider these simple ways to give thanks to our Earth and the environment.
Try to minimize waste in your meal preparation.
Try not to fill your plate beyond what you can eat.
Consider helping others with their Thanksgiving feast. You could volunteer, invite others who might be alone for the holiday, or consider taking some meals to others.
Send leftovers home with others to share or donate them to a shelter or pantry.
Give thanks to children and all youth; they are our future!
"We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our Children"
::: CONSERVE :::
GO GREEN FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Americans create 25% MORE waste during the holidays!
1. Use the good dishes and cloth napkins. If reusable won't work, use disposable made from 100 percent post-consumer waste recycled paper, sugarcane or corn—they are compostable!
2. Decorate with nature. Forget the petroleum-based plastic and synthetic decorations - adorn your table with natural and homemade festive decor.
3. Use reusable, or borrow, rather than buy. Use reusable leftover containers and cookware or borrow extra dishes, bakeware. Going to someone else's house, bring your own reusable container!
4. Take a look at your energy use. If you have several dishes that need to be in the oven at the same temperature, put them in at the same time!
5. Stay close to home - or carpool! This will greatly reduce your carbon footprint.
6. Prepare less food. Choose a smaller bird and skip some of the less-popular dishes to reduce food waste.
7. Use smaller plates for less food waste. A smaller plate means your guests will choose less in the first place. Maybe leaving more room for seconds later in the day.
8. Shop local and organic. Use the Seasonal Food Guide to find out what's in season.
9. Compost your kitchen scraps. Twenty-four percent of the waste we send to landfills is organic waste - decomposition in landfills creates methane, a greenhouse gas 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
10. Serve tap water. Bottled water creates plastic waste, isn't safer than tap water, is expensive to buy and is often just tap water in a bottle.
11. Use candles made from soy or vegetable wax. Soy wax is clean-burning, without soot or harmful emissions.
12. Bring a local or organic bottle of wine. You can also look for the Eco Glass label on many different bottles of wine.
CHECK OUT THE LINKS FOR LOCAL EVENTS, RESOURCES, AND MORE...
SEVCA Weatherization Services - see if you qualify for free services!
Button-Up Vermont Events: https://buttonupvermont.org/
Efficiency Vermont Rebates - Increased to $4,000 for moderate income households!
:: GIVE BACK ::
DONATE TO OR JOIN AN ORGANIZATION
Some suggestions are listed below!
An innovation lab that develops and launches policy frameworks, messaging, and organizing approaches to accelerate the global transition into “Emergency Mode” to address the climate emergency.
Southern Vermont Chapter https://www.facebook.com/svtxr/
This is a non-violent rebellion against the US government for its
inaction of the ecological crisis. The group asks for honesty, action, democratic assembly, and a focus on those most vulnerable.
Vermont Chapter https://350vermont.org/
An international movement of ordinary people working to end the age of fossil fuels and build a world of community-led renewable energy for all.
See their events here https://350vermont.org/calendar/
::: CLIMATE ACTION :::
What's Next?
Connect with national FFF contacts #FridaysForFuture is a movement that began in August 2018, after Greta Thunberg sat in front of the Swedish parliament every school day for 3 weeks!
Join a local group near you! Our movement grows from the grassroots. Use our map to find local groups near you, or consider starting your own.
STILL TIME TO SIGN THE PETITION
TELL CONGRESS TO DECLARE A CLIMATE EMERGENCY NOW.
SIGN THE PETITION https://climateemergency.us