Four New Year’s resolutions to create a healthier environment for 2022

By Viniece JenningsOf Agnes Scott College [This article first appeared in The Conversation, used with permission]

Many people think of New Years resolutions as ways to improve themselves for next year. What if those resolutions were expanded to include goals that benefit our communities, society, and the planet?

This might not be a common approach, but it can open up your horizons and show you how you can be of assistance to others.

Here are four Popular New Years ResolutionsWith a twist to improve your relationship with nature in 2022, and beyond.

Take more care to consider how your actions may impact the environment

Each of us have an Environmental ethicThis is how we view, manage and ultimately relate towards nature. This relationship can be improved by balancing the reciprocity between us, nature, and how much we give and take. It doesn’t matter if we are addicted to it. One-use plasticsThey can end up in landfills. fossil fuelsWhile we can heat the planet, a poor relationship with nature is not good for us or the Earth.

We all have a greater responsibility to reduce the environmental impact of our actions in 2022. We can also encourage governments, businesses, and other organizations to make it easier to protect the environment for people with different socioeconomic backgrounds. This includes making it affordable for recycled goods and making reliable public transportation available.

Check out the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ResourcesThese are some of the easiest ways to reduce waste at your home, work, community, and holidays. You can save energy by turning off or disengaging lights during the day, recycling packaging materials, and using online billing services to bill your bills.

You can also lose the burden of social injustice that harms nature.

Social injustice can lead to many problems in society. Inequality and racism can lead to health disparitiesThey also have The natural environment is at risk.

A Recent studyRedlining and residential segregation lead to inequal access to nature, excessive pollution and biodiversity loss. These practices Taken in HighwaysIndustries that cause environmental damage in marginalized communities. They also left communities without enough parks. Trees that provide coolingSummer is a great time to help the planet.

Perpetuating social ills such as systemic racism and Inequitable resource allocationit is harmful to the environment, marginalized individuals and society as whole.

You can help turn this around by speaking out in your local community. Join groups that promote environmental protection and social justice, and bring nature back to your community. To urge Congress to act, call your local, state, and congressional leaders. Refer to the Green 2.0 reportThis section focuses on making diversity initiatives successful. It provides concrete ways you can implement this at work.

Learn more about nature and how to minimize harm to the environment and yourself

Although essential for our survival, clean air, water and soil are vital, research shows that many people lack them. Environmental and health literacyTo learn how to protect yourself.

Get to know your environmental impact in 2022. Learn more to learn how you can preserve the integrity and beauty of your local natural resources. For example, you can find out where you are able to stay informed about local land-use decisions which impact the environment and the overall community.

You can also help local educators and encourage them bring the environment into their lessons. Many other subjects are affected by environmental issues, including history and health. This websiteThis includes a framework for educators to help students improve their environmental literacy.

Staying connected MediaIt can be a great way to increase awareness by having researchers discuss the latest research. You can also tie environmental facts and knowledge to your team-building activities and game night.

Spend more time outdoors with your family and friends

Studies have shown that spending time in nature, even urban green spaces, can improve your relationships with nature and others.

Nature can extend time social cohesion. Many people found the outdoors to be a great place to relax and reduce stress during the pandemic. Spending more time outdoors can increase social interaction that benefits health. buffer emotional distressEncourage and encourage the use of these spaces to help preserve them for the future.

Here are some examples Some toolsThese guidelines outline best practices for improving parks and recreation in your area. Here are some ways to make parks and recreation more accessible. outdoor environmentsFamilies in diverse communities will be more inclusive

Collectively, we can be better stewards for the planet by thinking about our relationship to nature and finding ways that we can protect it.

Viniece JenningsAssistant Professor of Public Health Agnes Scott College

This article is republished by The ConversationUnder a Creative Commons License Please read the Original article.