Environmental sustainability sounds intimidating and catches many off guard. It's really a quite simple and applicable concept. By definition:
Environmental Sustainability - The maintenance of the factors and practices that contribute to the quality of environment on a long-term basis.
It's a great foundation upon which to build useful and purposed habits and enjoy the benefits of an improved lifestyle. Eating sustainably means the production of your food doesn’t hurt the environmental systems that we depend on. We must take some level of accountability for our wasteful and degenerative practices in agriculture. There are many ways each of us can carry on a comfortable lifestyle, while improving our environment, supporting our local agricultural economy, improving health and reducing our carbon footprint! If this sounds like something you wouldn't mind devoting effort to, take a look at these quick tips!
Environment.
The environment is ours to nurture and allow to flourish. One way we can help our planet earth remain in the natural balance is to eat seasonally. Seasons are a part of the life cycle in many areas of the planet. This allows plant and even animal life to almost seamlessly move through the process of regeneration and rebirth with the beauty only the balance of nature can provide. Through eating seasonally, we allow the ground to replenish the nutrients necessary for a variety of crops to grow healthy and successfully with mineral rich soil. Non-seasonal foods require bending of nature's rules in order for them to survive the improper season in which they are brought into the world. Therefore, these foods are often full of pesticides, waxes, preservatives and other chemicals which naturally compromises the nutritional level of the food. Eating seasonally is not only good for our health and the environment, it can also taste better! A tomato during the peak of summer season tastes amaze next to any other time of year. Don't take our word for it, try it for yourself and experience the difference.
Community.
Another easy way to do our part is to eat locally and support our community. Regardless of where we live, we can consciously purchase locally. For example, I only purchase honey that has been gathered from local bees in our area. This is the concept of "community" that promotes sustainability. When goods are purchased from local farmers, ranchers, and any other eco-agricultural entity in our area, we keep the cycle of a market economy on a smaller scale within our own local community. This provides stability in both the goods and the future viability and sustainability of those providing those goods. Local food is also fresher and tastes better than food that has been trucked or flown in from thousands of miles away. By buying foods grown and raised closer to where you live, you help maintain farmland and green space in your area and help to reduce our carbon footprint. Knowing where your food is from connects you to the people who raise and grow it and you develop smaller connections to more food sources, as opposed to one grocery chain. As a manager of local farmers markets, it's great to hear a farmer share with me the joy in realizing there would be no waste on a recent harvest due to community needs.
Organic.
Organics. Now that we know about eating seasonally and locally, we can incorporate organics into the mix. Organic food has become quite popular. The term organic actually refers to the way the agricultural products are grown and processed. Making a committment to healthy living fits right in line with the efforts for a more sustainable lifestyle. Organics are better for our planet because organic crops must be grown in safe soil, have no modifications and farmers are not allowed to use synthetic pesticides, bioengineered genes (GMO's), pertorleum based rtilizers nor sewage sludge based fertilizers. Organic livestock must have outdoor access and be nourished with organic feed. This food is usually fresher has more nutritional value and is better for the environment. Organic food promotes environmental sustainability by adhering to production methods that protect the natural habitat. No brainer.
The R's.
Recycle, Reuse or Repurpose. The most frequent use of the term sustainability is affiliated with biological or human systems in the context of ecology. Recycling is the cornerstone of sustainability. If we continue at the rate at which we are consuming the Earths natural resources, the Earth will be left depleted unless we change our consumption methods. Composting is an easy and beneficial way to reuse or repurpose. For example, after I finish juicing I have mountains of fiber from the fruit and veggies! Primarily I use it to bake a fresh loaf of brad or a batch of muffins, and usually there is still excess to utilize. The fibrous pulp breaks down quickly and infuses compost with a variety of nutrients. Once the scraps have turned into compost, add them to the garden for healthy soil and robust, high-yielding plants. Just a brief example of how we can reuse, recycle and repurpose just about anything!
Fair-Trade.
The production of some goods, for example coffee, tea and even chocolate, can be detrimental to the environment. Environmental destruction can include tearing down rain forests, excessive air pollution as well as water pollution. Fair Trade is a system of exchange that honors producers, communities, consumers, AND the environment. It is a model for the global economy rooted in people-to-people connections, justice, and sustainability. Fair trade supports farmers and craftspeople in developing countries who are socially and economically marginalized. Fairtrade certification is a product certification system claiming that products with its brand meet certain environmental, labour, and developmental standards. Therefore, we are guaranteed that we are receiving goods at a fair price and we can contribute to the sustainability of our global community and market economy.
These are just a few of the ways we can help build a more sustainable future through a lifestyle committed to strengthening community, promoting the natural order of farming and livestock while protecting the environment in its natural habitat. Hopefully, these may provide an easy introduction to living environmentally sustainably with Organic plus Green!
Happy eating and thanks for reading!
CC
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