“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”
Psalm 24:1
Environmental justice is among the core values of Angela Hospice’s founders, the Felician Sisters. Not just on Earth Day, but every day, the Sisters work toward recreating a sustainable environment and promoting the common good. Honoring and protecting God’s green earth is part of that lifestyle.
It can seem overwhelming at times, when we hear about floating islands of plastic in our oceans, or as we experience wild and unsettling weather patterns. And while there is no quick fix to clean up our world, there are some things we can do as individuals, to try and do our part to be better stewards of the beautiful home God has provided for us.
Here are easy some changes I’ve implemented over the past few years, to attempt to have a lighter footprint. They’re so simple, I hope you’ll consider trying them too!
1. Consume less plastic
The scary thing is, we actually DO consume plastic, with particles showing up in our food. But by switching your purchasing habits, you can contribute less plastic into our environment. Some examples: switch to bar soap and powdered detergents packaged in cardboard, skip the plastic and use reusable shopping bags, forego disposable plates and utensils.
Reducing Plastic Waste and Moving Beyond a Throwaway Culture
2. Eat less meat
Environmentalists tell us this is the single most effective change individuals can make to lower their carbon footprint. Even if you’re not ready to switch to a full vegetarian or vegan diet, cutting out some of the meat in your diet can help – and you might find it to be a healthy choice as well!
3. Cut back on paper products
Consider cloth napkins instead of paper – you’ll probably feel a little fancy at first, but you’ll soon realize it’s a simple change that creates less waste! You can also try using rags instead of paper towels, reusable cotton rounds instead of single use cotton balls, and reusable gift wrap instead of paper you’ll tear up and throw in the trash. Even if something like a cotton ball seems small, the resources that go into producing these disposable goods can be saved by switching to reusable items. You can even make some of these products yourself by cutting up old t-shirts or worn towels.
4. Start a compost pile
It’s easier than you think – really! This began as my pandemic project and I can report it is honestly a bit magical to witness your banana peels, egg shells, shredded paper, and grass clippings turn into rich soil your garden will love. There are plenty of tutorials on YouTube to help you with the process, and when it’s done correctly, you won’t have to worry about any unpleasant smell.
How to Easily Make Compost at Home
5. Try out gardening
Did you know that gardening is actually good for your mental health? Scientists have discovered that the microorganisms that live in soil actually help trigger the release of serotonin. Fascinating, right? But besides that, gardening is fun! There is a pure joy in seeing the miracle of nature before your eyes. Plus, growing your own food means you’re reducing food transportation costs, providing a rich environment for pollinators, and helping to improve air quality. Some easy choices for new gardeners are tomatoes (you can grow them from the seeds in the tomatoes in your refrigerator!), green beans, radishes, and lettuce.
5 Secret Health Benefits of Gardening
For more resources and information on the work the Felician Sisters are doing to protect and heal the environment, visit feliciansistersna.org.
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”
Job 12:7-10
