Persevere!

Hello! I hope that this week's message finds you well. I took the selfie above in celebration of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's elevation to Justice on the Supreme Court. She is living proof that when a person puts their mind to it, they can achieve something that has never before been achieved.

We can apply this same principle to the Climate Crisis. The UN's findings, rooted in science, tell us that we only have three years to correct the damage that we have already done. But don't let this news get you down, instead use it to take action. Here are more steps that I'm taking to reduce my impact on the Earth.

1. Composting. I know that many of you are gardeners and already compost. Obviously composting diverts waste from landfills but it also minimizes the need for fertilizers that can end up in our water supply. Additionally, some of the microorganisms in compost bind to heavy metals or can digest other pollutants keeping soil and natural water sources cleaner and healthier.

2. Letting the dandelions live! They feed the pollinators. No pollinators, no food.

3. Delawning. Lawns require the use of pesticides, herbicides (see above about the dandelions), large amounts of water and sometimes the use of gas powered mowers, edgers and blowers to be "healthy"and green. Delawning is the process of filling your property with native trees, shrubs and flowers. Not only are these beautiful, but they assist our native insects and birds in their survival while you benefit from seeing a wider array of feathered friends and butterflies on your property. Also, because they are native species, they have evolved in the local environment making them more resilient minimizing the need for chemical maintenance.

That's all for this week! I'll be sharing my environmental musings all month long. Please write to me if you have ideas that I can add to my list. Let's work together to make sure that our planet is inhabitable for many generations to come.

Om Shanti Om,

Julie