I can’t remember the first moment that I decided that the climate crisis and the destruction of our beautiful planet was real. I can’t remember what it was that really triggered me to wake up and quit ignoring the reality that this beautiful planet of ours was starting to die around us. I don’t remember the first moment that I decided that I truly hated plastic, because it is one of the most polluting substances on the planet.

But all of these moments did arrive, and I found myself in Barnes and Noble one day staring at a collection of books that would help me start making changes to actively do better for the planet and for myself. The well-trained researcher that grad school instilled in me was searching for books that would lead me to not only do better for the environment but to help myself turn away from the consumerist culture that I deeply believe has been one of the main causes of this climate crisis in the first place (yes, ironically enough as I was standing in a Barnes & Noble looking to purchase books and contributing to the consumerist culture, but hey, it was a start).

Continue reading “Plastic, plastic everywhere”

One of my favorite things this time of year is looking at the glow of the Christmas lights and the shadows they cast on all the gifts I’ve bought for my family and friends. Gift giving is one of my greatest passions, especially around this time of year, and it is always a joyous season for most people. If you celebrate Christmas around this time (or any other holiday), it’s possible that you plan on purchasing different gifts for your friends and family.

I absolutely adore giving gifts to friends and family. I love the hunt of finding the perfect gift for all of the people that I care about. I usually don’t stop looking until I find it. I hate giving gifts that are just mediocre. To avoid this, I usually shop right off all the Christmas lists that my friends and family give me. This is a way to guarantee that I get them something that they are sure to enjoy and not return (or give away).

Continue reading “Where did these gifts come from?”

To be honest, it gets my blood boiling. When I see a trash can overflowing with cans upon bottles upon pieces of paper. My mind races to all the ways that our future is suffocating in these rotting, sagging, piles of trash, screaming to be saved.

I used to have this cute tote bag that was white with a big bold colored earth on the side and a reduce, reuse, recycle logo on it. It was trendy at the time. I got it from Rue 21, also trendy at the time. I was 15, thought that following the crowd was cool, and sporting my “love the earth” themed tote bag was going to make me well-liked.

Continue reading “Not just a climate crisis.”