The top 5 environmental concerns for 2019 are:
- Biodiversity
- Water
- Deforestation
- Pollution
- Climate Change
Biodiversity is the complex system of the environment having an impact directly and indirectly on every other thing. In the March report I reported on the stone fly, a seemingly insignificant insect. I reported on that to demonstrate how a small insect’s presence can affect the food supply. Our actions have an impact on the environment.
Water is negatively affected in our area by invasive aquatic species and P-FAS. Invasive aquatic species overtake our waterways, decreasing native plant species which support insects, and wildlife. P-FAS enters our drinking water causing cancers. Cleaning waterways and ground contamination costs millions of dollars annually.
Deforestation is occurring because of forest fires, and increased harvesting, whether legal or illegal. We need plants to provide oxygen, food, and medicine. Deforestation is contributing 15% to our greenhouse gas emissions.
Pollution whether it is from air, water, soil, radioactive, light or thermal has daily impact on our quality of life. It affects biodiversity contributing to early extinction of plants and animals. All living things are interlinked. We are only as good as our weakest link.
Climate change is mainly caused by greenhouse gases. The earth is warming at an alarming rate. Increased ocean temperatures causes not only a rise in sea level but also has an impact on sea life.
What can you do to mitigate these environmental concerns? Here are 5 things that you can do in your own home. Pass them on:
- Reduce your intake of red meat.
- Recycle your plastics and buy more recycled products.
- Limit your paper and cardboard use.
- Use LED lights and turn off lights in unused areas of your home.
- Make yourself a route map and bundle short trips together.
If you incorporate these 5 changes into your daily life, you will be helping the world around you for generations to come.
Looking for good books? Try these:
- On biodiversity: The Living Landscape by Rick Dark and Douglas Tallamy
- On water: Rain by Cynthia Barnett
- On Deforestation: The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate by Peter Wohlleben
- On pollution: Dumping in Dixie: Race Class and Environmental Equality by Robert D. Bullard
- On climate change: Storms of my Grandchildren by James Hanson
June Environmental Report Submitted by Denise Clegg