Guest Author - Carolyn Chambers Clark, RN, EdD

We only have one earth and what we do to it affects our health and well-being. Start today by becoming a true steward of the earth. A holistic approach requires a loving and caring attitude toward the whole earth, not just our small piece of it.

What can you do to become a better steward of the earth? Follow these simple 8 tips and you'll be well on your way!

Earth Day Tip #1:

Treat Your Lawn Organically.

When you use toxic pesticides on your lawn, they can be tracked into your home exposing your children, pets, other family members and you to these substances. A recent study in Environmental Health Perspectives found that people using herbicide 2,4-D exposed children at levels up to 10 times higher than preapplication levels. These 2,4-D herbicides are associated with cancer, birth defects, reproductive effectiveness, neuro-toxicity and kidney and liver damage. Roundup, a pesticide used on nonorganic foods, has been linked to reproductive defects.

Which is more important to you? A perfect lawn or health? Look into xeriscaping. It is much more healthy, requires less work. (You don't need to cut the grass!) and also protects you from the heat of summer and cold of winter, lowering those cooling and heating bills. Look in the front of your phone book for your local cooperative extension service or contact your local water management or University Agriculture Department for ideas and information.

Earth Day Tip #2

Use Organic Seeds, Plants and Supplies for Your Garden.

Building healthy soil is a key way to protect your plants against pests. Add organic matter to the soil including grass clippings, fall leaves and raw vegetables and fruit scraps. Learn how to compost. Go to The Organic Report and click on Home & Garden for ideas. Instead of just picking up packets of seeds or plants at a local store, buy them from organic sources. Nichols Garden Nursery offers organic seeds and plants and a friendly manner, too! or call 1-800-422-3985 and someone with a great deal of knowledge about organic seeds and plants will answer your questions.

Earth Day Tip #3

Choose organic foods for your pets.

Feed your beloved pets food that does not contain pesticides, insecticides and other poisons. To find wholesome organic pet food and treats, go to Organic Pages Online and click on "General Products and Services", then on "Pet Care."

Earth Day Tip #4

Pack organic food in your ---or your child's---lunch.

More and more companies offer organic foods and in single-serving packaging such as soy cheese that can be included in lunch bags. The Children's Health Environmental Coalition (CHEC), which is dedicated to educating parents and caregivers about environmental toxins that affect children's health, actively promotes the benefits of eating organic foods, including minimizing exposure to toxic and persistent pesticides. (In one study, children who ate organic fruits and vegetables and drank organic milk and juices had concentrations of pesticide metabolites six to nine times lower than children eating a conventional diet.)

Earth Day Tip #5

Buy local organic produce through a local community-supported agriculture farm or organization.

For a listing of CSAs in your area, go to The National CSA Farm Directory. Not every CSA is organic, so be sure to ask before you sign up.

Earth Day Tip #6

Encourage your local school to use organic practices.

Volunteer or encourage a classroom or a whole school to plant an organic garden. The Rodale Institute in Pennsylvania has resources for such projects aimed at education and educators. Go to KIDSREGEN.ORG. It describes a school garden contest open to all schools in the US to set up organic gardens.

Even if you can't do this now, you could volunteer to bring in organic snacks to celebrate Earth Day. In the snack bag, include a note about why organic products are superior.

Earth Day Tip #7

Celebrate with organic flowers or chocolates.

Buy organically grown flowers from Organic Bouquet Inc to insure you aren't supporting the use of more pesticides and herbicides in your gifts. You can even buy organic chocolate at natural products stores!

For more Earth Day information, visit...

Earth Day

References

Nishioka MG, Distribution of 2,4-D in air and on surfaces inside residences after lawn applications, Environmental Health Perspectives, November, 2001.

Infant home pesticide exposure linked to elevated asthma rates. Environmental Health Perspectives, January, 2003.

Curl CL. Organo-phosphorus pesticide exposure of urban and suburban preschool children with organic and vonventional diets, Environmental Health Perspectives, March, 2003.