Enviro-tips
Summer Fun
Summer is the season for outdoor entertainment: family fun in the sun, picnics, cookouts, trips to the lake or to the shore … but it can also be a season filled with mosquitoes, overexposure to the sun, filling the car with gasoline for a long road trip and other things that can be unpleasant for us and for the environment.
Even though summer’s technically not here yet, at Great Places we figure we’d better start preparing, and we’re ready to share our tips for a safe, healthy and Earth-friendly season.
In the Great Outdoors
Insects do so many great things for us, they help pollinate the fruits and vegetables we eat, break down organic matter and create products like honey and silk; but when those pesky summer mosquitoes turn on us, it’s hard to remember these good qualities. Because mosquitoes can carry disease, and because no one wants to be itching and scratching all summer long, it can be a great relief to use insect repellant when enjoying our time outside.
However, some ingredients in popular insect repellants may have negative effects on the environment. A few of the alternatives the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend are wearing pants and long sleeves, using mosquito netting over infants in strollers and clearing the areas near your home of containers with standing water (where mosquitoes can breed). One non-chemical alternative offered is oil of lemon eucalyptus, which seems to have a repelling effect similar to low levels of DEET (an effective chemical common in many insect repellants). Take care when considering products with DEET though, some sources note that it can have negative effects on human and environmental health, including eye irritation, rashes, lethargy and mood swings, and it is considered slightly toxic by the Environmental Protection Agency. Alternative insect repellants and products with low levels of DEET are on the market, so look for these when planning for summer.
And what is a trip into nature without a picnic? Once you have yourself protected from mosquitoes, it’s time to plan your meal (and try to avoid those inevitable ants)! No matter your family’s food preferences, try to buy local and be sure to pack it in reusable containers (to help keep the ants out too, of course). It can be hard to do when traveling, but every way we cut down on waste in our landfills is of benefit to the planet.
At the Beach
When out in the sun, it’s important to look out for our own health. Wearing protective clothing like tightly woven fabrics and UV protective sunglasses, staying out of the sun as much as possible between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and bringing a beach umbrella are all ways of protecting ourselves from the sun and its harsh effects without using chemicals.
Some sunblocks contain chemicals that may be carcinogenic and can cause minor skin irritations. And though their direct benefits to protecting your skin may seem to outweigh these negative effects, keep in mind that many of these chemicals are also harmful to the environment. Some found in waters around the United States can even pose a threat to humans and animals if ingested. It is simple and beneficial to just be aware of the products we use.
Besides protecting ourselves at the beach, it’s also important to protect the beach itself. Posted rules are there for the benefit of the landscape, so know that you will be doing no harm to the area if they are followed. Many areas ban pets if there are local plant or animals species (often times endangered or threatened) that can be harmed by a wandering dog, for example. If the area has designated pathways or walkways over sand dunes or other sensitive areas, use those; this will help reduce erosion. Of course, use the proper waste disposal methods, and try to bring items you can reuse or recycle!
Summer Travel
When planning family road trips this summer, the simplest way to cut back on fuel use is to take fewer trips and to travel to places that are closer to home. But there are ways to conserve fuel once you’ve planned your trip as well. If you drive a hybrid or one of the more fuel efficient cars on the market, of course you’re already well on your way to using and spending less on fuel. But by driving more cautiously, you can also conserve. Though it may be difficult to do, driving at 55 miles per hour can greatly reduce the fuel used, reduce pollution, increase the miles driven per gallon and can keep your family traveling at a safe speed. Also, driving cautiously rather than aggressively, using cruise control and shutting your car off when idling may also contribute to higher fuel efficiency.
Thank you to The Nature Conservancy for this wonderful article