Most of my working existence has been to safeguard people from the damage they may do to themselves through food and emotional instability.
My books, blogs, social media streams, lectures, podcasts, radio and TV shows as well as individual consultations have all been based on the premise that we are in control of our lives, our destinations and our bodies. In areas where we feel we have no control, my advice is to limit our exposure to it and actively take part in consciously being aware of the part we play in our world, leaving others to play theirs.
When it comes to the environment, we cannot control what others do, but we can make an impact ourselves, no matter how small. Each small impact creates a wave of positive vibration which is felt in the furthest most corners of the globe. Never underestimate the power of the Universe and the part each individual plays in the influence on it.
So when it comes to carrying your own shopping bag, buying glass bottles and loose single vegetables, choosing to ride a bike, walk or skateboard to your destination or supermarket, to not drinking from a plastic cup or a plastic straw, if this is something you would repeat daily, maybe 3-4 times daily, in a year, you make an enormous impact. If you are sitting in the US reading this you use 500 million straws a day. Impressive isn’t it? We can turn the tide and each one of us has an important part to play.
In my journey of sustainability I have come across some incredible people. Arizona Muse, who is a model making huge strides in awareness within the industry, asking for more recycling and innovative ways of using raw materials. Kering and H&M are leading brands in the ethical creation and production of garments. Livia Firth is a huge champion of ethical fashion through Eco-Age, creating the Green Carpet Challenge and encouraging the Commonwealth, as well as luxury brands, to consider for example their footprint and their slavery record. The Responsible Jewellery Council ensures ethical sourcing of precious metals, diamonds and other stones. Marine biologists and scientists are re-growing coral that has been bleached and eroded due to pollution.
Energy is being harnessed through wind, water and even used food oil. There is technology to store energy for later use and scientists have found an enzyme that will eat plastic and help tidy up the plastic pollution. How impressive is that?
Food manufacturers, governments and individuals are all striving to ‘save the planet’ and play their part. I find it rewarding and impressive that, as a globe, we are all pulling together in every way we can to make this world breathe more easily so that nature may thrive again under the weight of the technology which, up until now, has had no idea, or ignored the negative impact it has created in its wake.
At EPJHealth, we provide glass straws to replace your plastic straws and our snack foods are not only vegan and raw, they are also hand-made and rolled with minimum carbon footprint, toxins or environmental damage. We only use glass water bottles, we rarely use plastic and we ensure that we save hedgehogs, bees and feed the birds.
We would love to hear your stories and efforts to do the same.