While researching insulation products this morning, I came across this: "The dramatic use of plastic is only beginning to hit the public consciousness of United States citizens, where Americans go through 100 billion plastic shopping bags every year and discard 2.5 million plastic bottles each hour."

2.5 MILLION PLASTIC BOTTLES EACH HOUR DISCARDED in the US!!

That is appalling and I am guilty myself over the past few days. I had been doing really well making my own tea, drinking it out of my SS cup and transporting it in a glass bottle, but time got tight this week, I got slack and have bought several single serving bottles of tea. I am resolving to go back to making my own tea on a regular basis because stories of whales with plastic in their bellies dying of starvation is heartbreaking and to know that microscopic plastic particles are airborne and have been found in some of the most pristine areas of the world is truly troubling. 

Definitely need to step up my game.

I learned a lot from this challenge. I read up on alternative forms of green energy and agriculture, and how both can help mitigate the effects of climate change. I contacted my representatives about investing in green energy, an action that took less than five minutes and one that I will try to make a habit of in the future. I also learned how and why coffee, cocoa, and palm oil products are destructive to forest environments, and also learned that it's not too difficult to avoid these items (except for chocolate...). I hope to keep up with a lot of the habits I formed during this challenge.

It's the last day! I'm almost surprised that I managed to complete all of my goals for this challenge. It helped though that I had a lot of time to do them, and most of them individually did not take that long. It doesn't take a lot of time to email a representative, or pick up some trash, or take time to read labels on food. I'm hoping I can continue some of the habits I formed during this challenge and strive to live a life with less environmental impact.

Happy earth day!  Such a beautiful day it was...I only wish I could spend more time outside!  Days like this I wish we had operable windows in the office...