Note I wrote on Facebook on Earth Day!

So since being in an environmental science class this semester I've gained alot of knowledge about the earth and it's awesomeness. So, in honor of Earth Day, I decided I would share some of my thoughts about the earth.

First of all, I believe we were given this remarkable and beautiful planet to inhabit by our Creator. I believe it is a privilege to live in a place where we are supplied with more than we could possibly need, want, or imagine. It's so awe-inspiring to know that my Creator loves me enough to allow me to live in such a great place. If living on Earth is this awesome, I can't even imagine what Heaven will be like. But in any event, since we have been supplied with this planet to live on, I believe it only makes sense for us to do things to preserve it. It's not only affecting our lives if we don't, but affecting lives hundreds and thousands of years from now. Can you picture how much better the earth probably was back when dinosaurs were around? During Jesus' time on Earth? During the exploration of America? Before cars? Oil refineries? Electricity? Yes, I know the Earth probably always had its problems, but I really feel we, in this day and age, are severely taking for granted one of God's gifts to us. 

With that being said... I think everyone should feel obligated to pitch in. Now I'm not saying we should all become tree-hugging hippies who do everything "green". I'm simply saying that we, as inhabitants of this planet, should at least keep an environmentally conscious mind. Think of the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Do you think we would like it if Earth treated us the way we treated it? Heck no! I know what alot of you are probably thinking... that some things on this earth are going to ruin it and cannot be put to an end with the technology and industry we live with. I totally get that... I just think we are using more than we should. I feel like it kind of relates to a credit card: You can spend money without really having to have any, however, you have a limit on your card. Paralleling to things happening currently (ie: a ridiculous amount of people, businesses, etc. being in TREMENDOUS debt), I think we are spending more than we have environmentally speaking. I'm sure that no person would think it fun to be in debt. It's amazing how the choices you make in a month, a year, a few years, can impact you for decades after. That is what I feel is currently happening, only in terms of the earth and it's resources. The choices we are environmentally making today will greatly impact what happens many, many years from now. 

So, it's doing the little things that count. If we all did one little thing, I think the Earth would be a much better place. Like a credit card, you can spend it now with no problem... as long as you remember to pay it back on time. So pay your "bills" to the Earth on time... don't end up in debt. 

What can I do to help the Earth, Jen? Oh I'm SO glad you asked! Below are some little things you can do to lessen your carbon footprint and leave Mother Earth smiling. :) And BONUS: many of these things will also help you save money (and take very little effort)! YAYYY.

1. Change your light bulb(s) to compact fluorescent bulbs. They consume about 75 percent less electricity and last up to 10 times longer (10,000 hours as opposed to 1,500). If you replace one 75-watt incandescent bulb with a 25-watt CFL you save up to $83 over the life of the bulb. Why would you NOT do this?

2. Unplug your electronics and appliances when you aren't using them. 

3. Turn off the lights when you leave a room. Seriously... it's not that hard. Also, try to use as much natural light (sunlight) as possible during the day. It prevents unnecessary wasting of electricity and can also save money on your electric bill. 

4. Don't litter!!

5. Don't do your laundry or dishes unless you have a full load. Wash two fewer loads of clothes and one fewer load of dishes a week and save up to 4,500 gallons of water a year. 

6. Reuse plastic shopping bags (from Target, Walmart, grocery stores, etc). Also if you have few enough items to carry in your hands, don't take a bag. 

7. Get your bank statement electronically. Also pay your bills online. 

8. Get off of junk mail lists. Saves paper and those things are really annoying.

9. Carpool when you can. 

10. Run all of your errands in one trip if you can.

11. Turn the water off when you brush your teeth.

12. Don't accelerate too quickly.

13. Recycle something every once and a while (or more than that)!

14. Reuse water bottles. I know people who drink up to 5 or 6 bottles of water a day... that's just ridiculous! Just use the same bottle over and over again... or better yet, but a nalgene (aka AWESOME).

Seeeeeee... helping the environment isn't hard, it just takes a little effort on your part. I'll be the first to admit I don't do all of the above listed things... but I do some of them, and that's a start. :)

My First Post

Well, I have decided to start a blog so I can talk about whatever I want, but mostly the environment. I'm basically doing this here so I won't have to post a million notes on Facebook and the people who want to read it can, without everyone else having to see it show up on the news feed. :) I'm going to copy and paste the note I wrote on facebook in another post. So stay tuned.