Humans and our ancestors have been on this planet for millions of years, using natural resources, hunting, gathering and taking from Mother Earth what they needed to survive.  Since the Industrial Revolution in the 1800’s, the combustion of a variety of fossil fuels has led to increasing levels of air pollution. New inventions are amazing, and have led to the growth and prosperity of our world, but have also contributed to more problems with not only air pollution, but waste storage, water conservation and energy preservation.

According to Encyclopedia Britannica (brittanica.com), “sustainability is understood as a form of intergenerational ethics in which the environmental and economic actions taken by present persons do not diminish the opportunities of future persons to enjoy similar levels of wealth, utility, or welfare.”

We need to prevent the depletion of our natural resources in order to maintain ecological balance. We need to keep our world tidy, clean and safe for future generations who will live here. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Sustainability is based on a simple principle: Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. To pursue sustainability is to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony to support present and future generations.”

EPA has a long history of working toward sustainable outcomes. To encourage progress, EPA developed a strategic approach to incorporate sustainability principles into its work. 

You can read these reports and find out what the U.S. and other countries are doing to support sustainability.  All this is good information, knowing large organizations are fighting for balance and preservation of the earth.  

I used to read these lengthy reports about conservation and sustainability and wonder… I am only one person in this huge world. How can I make a difference?  Well, guess what?  You CAN make a difference. Look at the following suggestions. Pick one or two of them to do immediately. Add another item to your list of “To Do’s” the next week, and the next.  Pretty soon you will have incorporated many healthy habits into your routine.  And then what?  Share your efforts with others. Ask them to help save our world, too.

1. Turn off lights and fans when leaving a room.
2. Conserve water- limit showers, turn off water when brushing teeth, use a bowl of soapy water to wash dishes and rinse everything at once instead of leaving water running the entire time.
3. Use solar power when possible,
4. Walk or ride bikes to stores.
5. Reuse packaging when possible
6. Bring your own shopping bag to the store- reduce use of plastic bags
7. Start a compost pile- fruits and veg-no meat, dairy or fish.
8. Carpool when you can; walk or ride bikes when possible- saves gas, reduces carbon footprint and is great exercise!
9. Use refill soaps, shampoos, laundry detergents

Here are a few stores in Missouri that specialize in refilling those plastic bottles:

• Kirkwood, MO:  The Refill Effect, 204 N. Clay Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122
• Columbia, MO:  The Clean Refill, 3601 Buttonwood Dr. Ste. C, Columbia, MO 65201
• Kansas City, MO:  Soap Refill Station, 7441 Broadway Blvd.. Kansas City Mo 64114
• Springfield, MO:  Soap Refill Station, 210 Campbell Ave., Springfield, MO65806
• Parkville, MO:  The Greener Home, 115 Main St., Parkville, MO 64152
• For more information on sustainability go to epa.gov

Thank you for your efforts to save our world!