By BILL ZAFFER
Data from satellites proves humans are affecting physical and biological landscapes due to population and pollution. We can be part of a graceful transition toward improvement or a disaster recovery. Let’s have real discussions about population growth, pollution, sprawl, acidity, warming of oceans, and loss of nature. Ecologically-minded steps will make the world a better place to live. Collectively, we can change the world. Be part of ushering in an Earth-friendly economy and cultural transformation, which starts not by faith or good luck, but by thoughtful actions. Be part of this enlightened convergence to a new nature capitalism narrative community model. We have to ask the right questions for change, and not just continue with the same beliefs and ideologies. Reduce, recycle, reuse, and reimagine. Here are some conservation tips to get you started:
1. Start an organic garden in your backyard or harvest water from the roof. Start an urban farm. Compost, and abolish using fertilizers or pesticides that pollute our waterways causing cancer, fish diseases, and dead zones in our oceans.
2. A resilient future means better planning, eliminating subsidies for reckless sprawl, and encouraging infill. We must integrate healthy design policies and green cluster zones in cities. Live closer in town and utilize public transportation, bike, or walk.
3. Help reverse pollution. A carbon tax on fossil fuels, similar to what British Columbia does, creates a robust economy. Learn about hydrogen fuel cells, wave energy, bio-mass materials, storage batteries, ultra-lightweight super capacitors, geothermal, solar, fusion, and wind.
4. By incorporating biomimicry (an approach to innovation that seeks sustainable solutions to human challenges) we can create new products and zero waste. Use a clothesline instead of a dryer whenever possible, and use cloth rags instead of paper towels.
5. Try eating vegan a few days a week to help cleanse your body. Avoid palm oil. Too much meat is proven to aid in colon cancer and obesity. Both products cause the destruction of rainforests for more cattle ranches and farms for palm trees, which influence climate change, flooding, and loss of huge habitats and species.
6. Use non-toxic cleaning products, aromatherapy cosmetics, and hygiene products, which can help decrease cancer, asthma, and early puberty that is occurring with young girls. Buy more items in glass containers than plastic.
7. Shop with local companies, which circulates 55 percent of dollars spent back into our local economies, compared to 15 percent with national companies. When given a choice, support our economy by buying American-made products. Just a 1 percent increase in buying U.S. made products will create 200,000 new jobs.
8. Reduce consumption of non-biodegradable products. Reuse products made from post-consumer or hemp materials. Use string or cloth bags when shopping versus oil-made plastic bags. Use refillable stainless steel water bottles, reusable coffee, or smoothie mugs. Pick up two to three recyclables a day.
~ Bill Zaffer has studied and applied sustainability in his life since the ‘80s. He has helped build community gardens in his home state of Arizona, and runs a resale business in manufactured homes. He was recently in Truckee to visit the Tesla plant in Sparks.
