“Planet Earth is our shared island, let us join forces to protect it.”
–UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, launching the 2014 International Year of Small Islands and Developing States
In 1972, the United Nations General Assembly established World Environment Day on the same day the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment began. World Environment Day is a global awareness day that encourages us all to take action, even the smallest steps, to protect nature and our planet. The theme for 2014 is “Raise Your Voice, Not the Sea Level.”
Any action, big or small, taken to protect our planet and environment helps not only the current population of the planet, but future generations as well. Here are just a few steps to take:
Buy Local Food! The carbon emissions of vehicles used to transport foods for thousands of miles can be reduced when you purchase foods that are grown locally. This also guarantees fresher food for you! A few local markets include: Carroll Gardens Farmer’s Market (Carroll Street between Court St and Smith St) Sundays 8am-4pm, Fort Green Flea (176 Lafayette Ave. [btw. Clermont + Vanderbilt Ave]) Saturday 10am-5pm, Williamsburg Flea (50 Kent Ave. [btw. N. 11+12 St]) Sunday 10am-5pm, Park Slope P.S. 321 (180 Seventh Avenue (btw. 1 + 2 St) Saturday + Sunday 10am-5pm, Smorgasburg Williamsburg (East River State Park, 90 Kent Ave at N. 7th St) Saturday 11am-6pm, Smorgasburg Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 5 on Sundays 11am-6pm, Grand Army Market (Prospect Park West & Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, Northwest corner of Prospect Park) Saturdays 8am-4pm.
Plant a tree! Not only do trees provide shade and oxygen, but a single tree absorbs thirteen pounds of carbon dioxide a year, according to the Urban Forestry Network. This number rises to forty-eight pounds and more as the tree matures. Did you know you can request that the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation plant a free tree on your property simply by submitting a service request on its website or by calling 311? Have a green thumb? You can also plant a tree on your own by obtaining a Tree Planting Permit and hiring a landscape contractor. You can also apply for a free permit to plant your own tree in front of your property directly on the NYC Parks & Rec website as well!
Recycle! The New York Department of Sanitation Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling informs us that recycling reduces methane emissions from landfills. “Waste prevention and recycling (including composting) divert organic wastes from landfills, thereby reducing the methane released when these materials decompose. It also reduces emissions from incinerators. Recycling and waste prevention allow some materials to be diverted from incinerators and thus reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the combustion of waste.” Recyclable items include newspapers, magazines, catalogs, white paper, colored paper, mail, envelopes, paper bags, wrapping paper, soft-cover books, telephone books, cardboard egg cartons and trays, smooth cardboard, paper cups and, most recently, hard plastic items. For a full list, check out the NYC DOS website.
With these simple steps, you can make a huge difference in protecting our environment and making our planet a bit cleaner. Together we can make a change! Then, after a long day of sorting paper goods, planting trees, and browsing local markets you can stop in to Element for a relaxing massage to reward yourself!
– Jesi V. Taylor, Element Reception Staff