I volunteer locally to support habitat restoration and restore recreation trails. These activities make me feel more connected to nature here at home and often lead me to meet like-minded folks who increase my optimism in the fact of climate change.

1. there's a site that rates skin and hair products, not only for sustainability but also for toxicity to users. I used to spend so much time researching ingredients, but this makes it SO much easier! Check it out - https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ ; and,
2. Ulta stores are now staging beauty product recycling bins where we can bring our empties for upcycling. This isn't as ideal as a refillable option, but it's a step for those of us who resort to using products made from non-traditionally recyclable materials.

We walk to our grocery store which is about 1/2 mile away for our weekly food. We take a Red Flyer wagon for carrying our bags (in cotton totes!). I ride a bicycle for errands around town and to the library. Walking and bicycling allows me to enjoy the beauty of springtime and to hear the birds in our neighborhood. We only drive our car about once every week or two. For monthly trips to visit my 92 year old mother I take the train instead of a car!

My household's carbon impacts are from travel and eating animal products. We are pledging to reduce the cheese, beef, and pork we consume. But we will also be looking more closely at the environmental impacts of the companies we purchase from, and do our best to move away from those with poor or non-transparent practices.

As a serial coffee-drinker who is somewhat removed from where it is produced, the reminder that coffee takes a lot more water to produce than alternatives like tea is a good one.

Wow. According to UN estimates, producing 1 kg (2.2 lbs) of cheese results in 23.9 kg (52.7 lbs) of greenhouse gas emissions. That is 2x the emissions released with every 1 kg of pork produced, 5x the emissions released with every 1 kg of eggs, and nearly 60x the emissions from every 1 kg of nuts!

As a southern Californian, I am more cognizant of the water costs associated with nut cultivation, especially almonds. However, I haven't spent a lot of time considering the impacts of my love of cheese. Definitely some food for thought.