It’s official. We have left no stone unturned or corner untouched by humans. Our planet has been significantly altered by us and probably has been for thousands of years. According to a University of Oxford-led review of over 30 years of archaeological data, repeated human activities over thousands of years have had a significant impact in the shape of our landscapes and our presence is evident everywhere. This could quite possibly make us what some have labeled the most dangerous animals on the planet.
Need more proof? The review concluded that many large scale extinctions were brought on by means of overhunting or land use by humans. We are literally killing off entire species with our lifestyle choices. The bad news is that a lot of damage has already been done and we are running out of time to make lasting changes. The good news, and this is important, is that we have the power to make new and often easy choices that can collectively make a world (quite literally) of difference. Some big impact changes include:
Adopting a Vegan Lifestyle
Giving up the consumption of animals and animal products is good for the animals, your health (not to mention your conscience), and the environment. In fact, it could be the single most important thing we could do to save our planet. Raising animals for food contributes to climate change, land degradation and water pollution. Opting for a plant-based diet eases the stress on our resources and as an extra bonus, might actually solve world hunger.
Giving up the consumption of animals and animal products is good for the animals, your health (not to mention your conscience), and the environment. In fact, it could be the single most important thing we could do to save our planet. Raising animals for food contributes to climate change, land degradation and water pollution. Opting for a plant-based diet eases the stress on our resources and as an extra bonus, might actually solve world hunger.
Read: Nations Worldwide Urge Cutting Meat and Dairy to Save the Planet – Why not the US?
Mindful Family Planning
There are simply too many of us, period. It might be time to consider more mindfulness in family planning. The planet can only sustain so many people and it seems prudent to consider its future when deciding on the number of children we have, whether or not to adopt and supporting every woman’s right to choose. Yes, these are emotional issues that are highly politically charged. But these choices have far reaching outcomes and as such they need to be looked at from a perspective of what is best for us as a whole. A simple adjustment in mindset from “we” as opposed to “me” may be all the planet needs.
The results of this review are really a wakeup call to us all. Reminding us to start paying attention, make choices that are in all of our bests interests and to do so now. The above are only a few options to consider, but certainly not the only ones. If these don’t resonate with you, find other ways to contribute to the health of our home. There are many smaller things that can been done on a daily basis as well and they add up quickly. The World Wildlife Fund offers 108 Things You can Do to Help the Environment. Find something that works for you and start today!
