Stay Sustainable in the Heat of Summer

Summer is the perfect season to go green and get in the habit of sustainability. Our leisure activities, food consumption and travel plans all lend themselves to a sustainable lifestyle, and even the small things we do create a ripple effect and can determine the overall health of our planet. Here are simple and effective ways to get your sustainable summer off to a strong start. A Not-So-Cruel Summer Fill your free time with local activities that have a low environmental impact, such as hiking at a nearby state park, catching a community ballgame, having a neighborhood cookout or simply relaxing on your porch swing with a great book. If you prefer charcoal grilling to the cleaner burning gas grill, opt for natural products like Cowboy Charcoal briquettes.rnOther ways to be cool and stay green include shopping at your local farmers market, using reusable dishes instead of plastic or Styrofoam, warding off pesky insects with natural options instead of chemical repellants and using public transportation. Summer Camp Lifelong habits start young, so why not send your kids to a “green” summer camp? Camps around the country offer overnight as well as day-camp experiences centered on sustainability. Workshops on sustainable agriculture, seed saving, whole food snacks, medicinal herbs and cooking with local foods are among the offerings available to campers.rnLet’s help our children grow up knowing how to make sustainable life choices and understanding the necessity of preserving our communities and our planet. Stop and Smell the Roses Sometimes we get so caught up in our school, work and daily life that even during the summer months we have a hard time slowing down.rnThis summer, take a break from those areas that cause you undue stress and pressure. Increase your time outside, allow yourself some time alone and perhaps learn some simple meditation techniques. Seek out meaningful learning opportunities, such as volunteering at a local community farm or sustainability organization.rnWhy not shed some of the daily baggage that consumes your mind? The simple act of living in the present and slowing down can be a critical step toward understanding the need for a sustainable lifestyle. Sustained Success More families are creating sustainable summer vacations through energy-efficient transportation choices. One family successfully planned a green European vacation as a way of giving their 16-year-old daughter a memorable yet sustainable travel experience. They booked rail passes, explored major cities by foot or public transportation and measured their carbon emissions each step of the way.rnThis family calculated that their sustainable European train holiday produced less than 10% of the carbon emissions they would have generated going by plane. rnPracticing a sustainable lifestyle becomes more important each day. This summer, you may choose to do something grand like exploring the country by rail. Or you might prefer a smaller scale activity like hosting a neighborhood potluck featuring local foods. Whatever you do, you’ll be reducing your carbon footprint and setting a green example for the people in your life.