Wondering how to live greener? You've come to the right place. Each week we challenge ourselves to try a new task ... or "amp up" something we're already doing. We raise our awareness, learn from each other and develop Eco-friendly skills which will improve our lives and protect our planet. Doing so together gives us power ... the power to Change The World!
If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the challenges we've taken on so far.
This post contains great information and I encourage you to read through it at your leisure ... however, if you are short on time, you might find the following quick links helpful:
Last week we got our cameras out and took photos of the things we're trying to protect by living green. There were so many wonderful images submitted. They truly speak for themselves. So ... rather than give you a recap of each post, I'm going to simply share some of the photos. Read on, though, because after the images, I'll list comments and links to CTWW articles (which contain more inspirational images).
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Wasn't that wonderful?
The Honor Society are those people who help us spread the "green" word by writing an article about our challenges and/or leaving pertinent comments.
Here are the articles written this week:
Change the World Wednesday – 26th Mar
Red and Save the world: take your rubbish home
Shopping Charity
Change the World Wednesday
What Do I Want to Protect?
Here are the additional comments:
From Lois: "I've got snow and ice outside so not going to have much to photograph today. I recently watched a new episode of Cosmos where they discussed DNA and how even the plants and trees have the same DNA we do, just arranged differently than ours. It reinforced to me that we are all connected on this plant. What would I photograph today? My field, the animals that share the space with us, the lake , the monarch butterflies, the bees.....Last summer we found our first praying mantis which was a sign that we are doing something good in the field as I hear they are a sign of a healthy eco system."
From Katie: "Great challenge! I know what I'm going to write about! :) I'm kicking myself for missing the last 2 weeks of challenges. Been a hectic time around the household with birthdays, vacation, people passing, people getting sick. Enjoying time in the Smoky Mountains this week."
From Alicia: "Living in the country makes us aware of the land around us and how we can work at protecting it. Our neighbors have horses, cows, chickens and dogs. The cows and horses eat the grass and have to have hay in the Winter months so it is so important that there is not a lot of chemical sprays and fertilizes put on the grass or the plants that the animals will eat.. We try and make sure anything we use on all of our gardens is organic and not harmful. We know that pesticide sprays can travel in the air.There are so many all natural ways to kill insects and garden pests and we have even found that using vinegar will kill the weeds around our driveway! So many organic ways to protect our environment if we just take the time to find out."
From Melanie: "This week's challenge was to photograph what you are trying to protect. For me the answer was easy. I want to do what I can to make the world better for my family. I want them to have safe food, air, and water. I want my daughter to learn to be a responsible citizen, respect the environment and be able to see all its wonders."
Our Twitter friends joined the conversation and shared the following:
From @HerbGir1972
- Happy #CTWW fb.me/1IjcCyr3V
- use less fossil fuels. Try to combine errands & make only one trip. #SensibleShopping
- Making 1 trip into town to complete errands, saves time, money, gas, lessens emmissions. Could Carpool with a friend & Save More
- OK #CTWW Change The World Wednesday Reduce Emmissions. Park in a mid-central position & walk to your shopping destinations #FitShopping
From @ProAmUSA
- Great tweet for #CTWW RT @Stage32online: The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. –Chinese Proverb
From @VioletsBuds
- What are some #ecofriendly actions you take? @UniqCreationbyT wrote a blog post about her #green actions http://t.co/kRCR8ctlgY #eco #ctww
- i meant to share for last week's #CTWW that I switched to @NatureJunkieMI unsponges for cleaning & I love them!
The #CTWW Gang are those folks who tweet our challenges using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're a Twitter member, I recommend following them ... they share great things. Let's meet them:
My Final Thoughts:
The beauty of photography is that it helps us see the complex world around us. When we start looking, we realize that there is much to protect ... a beautiful flower, a bird, the grass which grows along the street. They are all precious and worth our effort. Living green has the power to protect the things we love and ensure that they will survive for generations to come. Snap a photo of what you love and be reminded of why we embrace an Eco-friendly life.
Thanks, everyone! If you wrote an article, I Stumbled, Tweeted, Facebooked and posted it on Google +. You can help spread the "green" word by using the share features located below this post.
This Week's Challenge:
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| Our oceans need help! |
Most of us aren't able to assist in the search and rescue operations. We are, however, able to take actions to help our oceans. Here's your challenge ...
This week, begin by educating yourself on the ocean. Do a google search using the words "protect the ocean" and read some of the articles which come up. Visit the Marine Conservation Institute or NOAA for information.
THEN ...
Choose one (or more) of the following activities:
Choose one (or more) of the following activities:
- Say NO to plastic, especially plastic bottles and bags. The world's largest "landfill" is floating in the North Pacific Ocean and consists of plastic.
- Contact your state officials and encourage them to vote against off-shore drilling.
- Walk, ride a bike, or take public transportation this week. If you must drive, drive less.
- Maintain your car and fix any leaks (oil on the pavement gets washed into storms drains and ultimately finds its way to the ocean). Never toss used oil down the drain.
- Avoid fish and seafood this week. If you must eat it, make sustainable and healthy choices (look for the Marine Stewardship Council label to ensure that it is sustainable and environmentally friendly).
- Take part in a beach clean-up.
- Eliminate the use of toxic chemicals in your home.
- Avoid the use of herbicides and pesticides.
- Scoop pet waste. Letting it sit on the lawn means that it will enter our waterways.
- Stay off the water. If you must boat, do so responsibly (don't toss things into the water and use a human-powered boat rather than a gas-powered version).
- Dispose of all trash properly and pick up litter if you see it.
This week is all about protecting our oceans. Are you with me? I know that you are!
Sneak Peek: We're going shopping on Friday ... and you're invited!
Until then ...
WE'RE CHANGING THE WORLD ... ONE CHALLENGE AT A TIME!
This post is shared at Healthy, Happy, Green & Natural Party Hop