Musings: Let's take care of our Earth

World Environment Day will be celebrated Thursday. It should be a reminder to us that caring for the planet is not just a one-day event, rather a daily responsibility. With climate change, loss of biodiversity, and environmental pollution affecting communities everywhere, these issues can seem overwhelming. But there is much we can do to make a difference.

Reduce, Reuse, and Refuse represent small gestures that add up when done collectively. We can reduce plastic use, conserve water, plant native species, avoid food waste (plan meals, compost scraps, and donate when possible), support local farmers, advocate for environmental policies, and speak up for cleaner air and water. Most importantly, we can adopt a plant-based diet; that would provide a huge impact, since animal agriculture is the primary culprit undermining earth’s well-being due to climate change, deforestation, species extinction, and air, water, and land pollution.

It’s obvious we can’t rely on governments or corporations alone to solve this crisis, but we must continue to work together. Any real change starts with us, in our homes and hearts, neighborhoods and community groups.

World Environment Day is a reminder: The Earth does not belong to us; we are its stewards, holding Earth in trust for the next generation. Let’s leave them something worth having and protecting, for them to pass on to the next generation.

— Nathan Daniels, Melville