Wednesday, April 22, 2015

#EarthDay facts



Each one of us has a responsibility to take care of the planet. We've been given the most beautiful one. Take a look at this photograph of Earth from space. Breathtaking, right?

But the planet is under a lot of stress, largely due to humanity's own footprint. Consider the following facts: carbon dioxide gas has risen to the highest levels in 800,000 years; we dump 19.4 billion pounds of plastic into the ocean every year; 18 million acres of forest disappear each year; the planet faces a 40 percent shortage in water supply by 2030.

The statistics are startling. So I do what I can to help "Save the Planet" by recycling, turning off the faucet when I brush my teeth, going vegetarian once a week, and teaching my kids why it's important to reduce and reuse.

In honor of Earth Day (which honestly should be every day), check out the following eye-opening resources below.

love, -j.

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7 facts about the current state of our planet. (Mashable)

Sail to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a Texas-sized island made entirely of our trash. (VICE) 

Simple ideas (50 of them!) to help the planet. (50 Ways to Help)

The history of Earth Day. (Earth Day Network)

A gorgeous collection of images of our planet. (Instagram)


Photo via Veromenin (Instagram).
More than a billion people do this every day.