EVANSVILLE — Looking around at the greening trees and blooming flowers of spring, it's easy to assume Earth as we know it is doing just fine.
However, it would be difficult to find somebody who hasn't heard about climate change in 2021 or other concerns such as air pollution or the overwhelming amount of plastic impacting the oceans and environment.
Every April 22 has been widely recognized as Earth Day since 1970, a time to think about how humans can do better at preserving and protecting our environment. The movement that produced the original Earth Day has been credited with leading to the creation of federal regulations and agencies charged with addressing environmental issues: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act and Endangered Species Act.
You don't have to act on such a large scale to make a difference in your surroundings. Here are three things you can do every day to contribute to a cleaner, healthier Earth.
More: Plan gives roadmap for reducing Evansville contribution to climate change
Eat locally grown and raised foods
There are plenty of reasons to find our food sources closer to home. Eating locally grown, seasonal produce and local farm products has multiple benefits. For some, this might mean gardening, but not everybody has the space or time to garden.
There are options. Evansville and the Tri-State area are fortunate to have a variety of local farmers markets where fresh vegetables and fruits can be bought, along with other local farm goods such as poultry and dairy products. Buying seasonal produce at local farmers’ markets also is an excellent chance to get outside and walking, which is another health benefit, according to the Purdue University Extension Service.
More: Stay Hungry: Farmers markets, new Downtown Latin restaurant, more in Tri-State food news
Another option might be participating in a community farm or garden. In return for sharing the farmer's cost of operation through annual membership fees, "shareholders" receive weekly shares of the harvest.
"When you eat local, it's in your area so less fuel is consumed to get your food to your table," said Joe Schalasky, farmer for the Seton Harvest community agriculture initiative. "You know your farmer, and you are getting fresh food."
The farm, located on New Harmony Road near Evansville, is in its 16th year. It typically sells about 150 shares each year, and there are still shares available, said Julie Dietz, community outreach manager. It was started by Daughters of Charity Province of St. Louise as a more ecologically-minded way of distributing locally grown food.
Reduce and reuse
More than 8.3 billion metric tons of plastics have been produced since the 1950s, half of it in the last 15 years, according to a study published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Much of that is used for packaging and single-use items such as containers, utensils and straws. Because plastics are mostly made from petrochemicals derived from fossil fuels, plastic waste breaks down into smaller pieces but doesn't decompose or truly go away, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. Instead, these tiny bits of microplastics and the chemicals used in them can find their way into the environment and ultimately into wildlife and humans. It's been found on mountaintops and deep in the ocean.
Nearly 300 million tons of plastic is now produced each year worldwide, according to the United Nations. Most of it is never recycled.
"There's no away. We can't just throw something away," said Mary Allen. "But if something is made of plastic, there's an alternative for it."
Allen is owner of Sixth and Zero, the Evansville and Newburgh stores with the motto: "Waste less, live more."
What began as Sixth Street Soapery in Evansville evolved along with Allen's self-education on reducing her own environmental impact. The result was a business unique to the Evansville area, although the concept is taking off in larger cities. In addition to offering environmentally conscious and natural products, Sixth and Zero has a "refillery" section. The idea is to offer personal care and home cleaning products in bulk so customers can reuse containers and eliminate packaging.
"It's been a step-by-step journey. If nothing else, hopefully this prompts people to think about and be cognizant of reducing their waste stream," Allen said.
The idea of a low-waste lifestyle can be overwhelming. She suggests starting small.
"Do a trash audit and see what makes up most of the trash you throw away. Then pick one thing, and start with that," she said. "You don't realize it until you see it."
From using refillable water bottles and declining straws at restaurants to washing and reusing resealable storage bags and even aluminum foil, there are ways to start small and work your way up to a more low-waste lifestyle, Allen said.
Plant a pollinator garden
Pollinators are the insects and animals that help plants with the reproductive process of pollination, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. They include bees, butterflies, beetles and other insects, as well as hummingbirds and bats.
Many native plants and fruit and vegetable crops either require pollination or are much less productive without it, according to the IDNR. Although they are responsible for about 35 percent of the world's crop production their numbers are declining from habitat loss, nutritional deficiency, parasites, pathogens, chemical exposure and extreme weather, according to the IDNR.
The National Pollinator Garden Network estimates pollinators are responsible for one out of three bites of food people take every day. People can help ensure pollinator survival by planting pollinator gardens and landscaping.
"It's more than just honeybees. There are a lot of native bees and butterflies that need flowering plants," said Larry Caplan, an Evansville-area tree and landscape consultant.
Caplan started his consulting business when he retired after 32 years as horticulture educator with the Purdue Extension office in Vanderburgh County.
He has some suggestions for planting a successful pollinator garden:
• Include enough plants so pollinators can return for several visits
• At least a 10-foot by 10-foot space is ideal or several smaller spaces equal to that
• Use a variety of plants so there is always something blooming throughout the growing season
• Native plants and old-fashioned, traditional flower varieties are best
• Avoid newer hybrids that are attractive but lower in pollen and nectar
Among the plants Caplan suggests for pollinator gardens are natives such as Joe Pie Weed, coneflowers, butterfly weed and milkweed. Anything in the daisy family of flowers is also good, he said.
Don't expect your pollinator garden to look like a well-manicured, neatly ordered garden.
"Native plants are not landscaping plants. They tend to be a little more wild and wooly. They are not as neat and perfect, but there is nothing wrong with that," Caplan said.
He can be contacted at larry@caplantree.com or (812) 449-7067.