senior gardening

Senior Steps to Leaving Behind a Better Planet

Senior Steps to Leave Behind a Better Planet

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It’s not easy to ignore the numerous, hazardous, climate change disasters happening worldwide. Human actions like deforestation, livestock farming, emission of fluorinated gases, to name a few, have left catastrophic impressions on our environment. We’ve seen many heroes and heroines rise to make a change in our environmental habits and strive towards bringing about a better planet. It hasn’t been an easy ride, though. 

Most seniors lived at a time when the planet was a safe place to be, and without environmental exploitation. It’s no wonder some still want to save the environment and try to restore it to where it was before, even in their retirement years in continuing care retirement communities. While it may seem seniors “do not have much time left to see the effects of climate change,” that does not mean they cannot leave behind a better planet for the next generation.

If you are a senior, you can be part of this noble cause and practice in these ways:

Recycle and Reuse

Recycling is one of the most common environmental practices we are encouraged to undertake. The goal is to avoid trashing products that do not naturally break down, thus polluting the environment for years to come. Most of these items are things you’re familiar with like; newspapers, plastic drinking bottles, glass containers, etc.

Alternatively, you can reuse some of these disposables at home. For example, you can use an old toothbrush as a quick dust scrub for your shoes or turn used milk jugs or food containers into beautiful outdoor plant pots. You can even refurbish old furniture to make it like new.

Start an Environmental Conservation Initiative

As long as you’re doing something noble, people will be willing to support you. There are simple community projects you can initiate that will still work wonders towards bringing about a better planet, even if you don’t have a big budget. For example, you can mobilize neighbors to pick up litter in the streets, move door to door collecting plastics or papers, encourage recycling, grow a community garden, etc. 

You can also prompt your friends to join non-profit groups whose purpose is advocating for the same values. This way, you get to reach more members of younger generations looking to you as an example. 

Start From Home

For most, home is the only place where you have the freedom to alter things to the style you want. If you’re building your home or you’ve already built one, it’s never too late to make adjustments to help preserve the environment. Here are a few ways to do it:

  • Switch off or unplug electrical devices when not in use
  • Grow your organic food such as fruits, vegetables, herbs and avoid using pesticides
  • Switch to LED lighting and later invest in solar panels
  • Ensure your home is well insulated
  • Use a clothing line instead of the dryer to dry your clothes

Use More Eco-Friendly Products

By now, we all know the top enemy of our environment is mostly plastic products since they aren’t biodegradable. Some countries have even taken the initiative to ban plastic bags and created opportunities to innovate eco-friendlier carrier bags. 

You can also incorporate some changes as part of your lifestyle as an individual. For example, you can carry a reusable water bottle and refill whenever you want to instead of buying bottled water every day. In the long run, it’s cheaper, and it saves you more. You can opt to use your bike, walk or buy an electric vehicle for transportation. You can also reduce the consumption of meat and dairy products. 

Together, we can save the natural resources available, change our lifestyles, and be ambassadors to restore the environment. It all starts personally, and no one is ever too young or too old to help bring about a better planet.

Jennifer BellAuthor Bio: Jenn Walker is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey.

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