by David Nuñez

So Earth Day is in April and June has World Environment Day. Even for someone who works for an environmental organization the distinction can seem a bit hazy. But does it really matter? To celebrate our parents, we have Mother's Day and Father's Day, so why not have two days to celebrate nature? And just like we should ideally honor our mom and dad every day of our life (or at least theirs) and not just once a year, shouldn’t we also continuously strive to be respectful and grateful for the natural world and our place in it?

Furthermore, by the time this newsletter goes out, World Environment Day will have passed. So rather than focusing on how to celebrate this one particular day, I’d like to offer some suggestions of small things we can do every day (or at least any day) to lessen our impact on the planet and to enrich our relationship with our natural surroundings.

Most of us can easily get by on much less than we do. Our culture and society seem to measure success by consumption—by how much stuff we can accumulate or go through. We forget about the waste our habits produce, and how damaging these wastes are to our surroundings, and even to our own health. Perhaps we could start by taking pride in being less wasteful—using less water, less electricity, less gasoline, less plastic, fewer pesticides, less meat. I’m not advocating a life of austerity, just suggesting we be a bit more conscientious about our daily activities. Does a shower really need to last 20 minutes? Is there any point to leaving lights and appliances on when nobody is using them? Is beef really a daily requirement? Would it kill us to walk to the video store? … or to use public transportation every now and then? … to recycle? … to buy organic when possible? Of course it costs more, but the more people do it, the cheaper these products will become—and moreover, isn’t building a better future for our children worth a few extra pennies here and there?

However, if you feel like doing more, you can always support an organization like CEA. You can ask us about volunteering, or you can volunteer with a similar organization in your own community. Become more informed. Read a book on the issues that concern you. It doesn’t have to be some depressing litany of problems; it could be something positive such as Jane Goodall’s classic, "Reason for Hope."

But more importantly, do something for yourself. If nothing else, every now and then remind yourself to drop everything and take a walk in the woods, or on the beach, or through the desert. Take the time to dip your toes in that stream, or just sit on that rock and watch the sunset. Listen to the birds—and the bugs. Take some time to reconnect with nature. Thank it for the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat. Give thanks for the flowers, the stars above, the breeze in your hair, the rain in the distance. Go alone, or with a loved one. Go with your children or grandchildren. Teach them what you know. Teach them to be grateful. Share the caterpillars, the butterflies, the spider webs and the frogs. Climb that ledge, play in the mud, draw in the sand, run down that trail, and splash in the waves. Lie on the grass, under that tree. Find figures in the clouds. Close your eyes and just be. Feel the glory.